In this episode of Unscripted Curiosity, Jenn and Scott sit down with Kathryn Bruni-Young for a grounded and expansive conversation about strength, simplicity, and listening to your nervous system.

Kathryn shares her transition from a decade of teaching yoga in Toronto to building a strength-focused studio in rural Ontario. What began as a curiosity about powerlifting evolved into a complete reimagining of her work—shifting from traditional yoga instruction to helping people build real, measurable strength. Along the way, she reflects on the surprising calm she found in small-town life, the importance of balancing energy (not just time), and how overbooking can quietly erode joy.

Together, they explore what it means to challenge the body in ways that build resilience rather than depletion, especially for folks navigating aging, peri/menopause, and cultural narratives about limitation. Kathryn speaks candidly about the power of lifting heavy, the nervous system benefits of controlled stress, and why it’s never too late to start.

This conversation is part personal evolution, part fitness philosophy, and entirely an invitation to rethink what strength—physical and otherwise—can look like in this season of life.

Connect with Kathryn and her work:

www.mindfulstrength.ca

https://www.instagram.com/mindfulstrength.ca/

Connect with Jenn & Scott:

https://twistedoakyogaandwellness.offeringtree.com

https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1262404

Email us at unscriptedcuriosity@gmail.com

We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of Unscripted Curiosity, Jenn and Scott catch up over a tightly scheduled, military-style timeline—reflecting on urgency, boundaries, and the very human tendency to overcommit. Jenn shares how she’s been saying yes to too many exciting opportunities, and Scott offers a simple task-calibrating tool (hint: no sevens allowed). Together, they explore what it means to prioritize well-being, resist hustle culture, and stay grounded amid tight timelines and shifting responsibilities.

The conversation meanders, in true Unscripted fashion, into musings on social media boundaries, American grief, trauma-informed crisis work, and a delightful sidebar on the resilience of red squirrels (yes, really). From bridge negotiations to squirrel tunnels, this episode is a cozy blend of reflection, humour, and a new year busyness exhale.

Connect with Jenn & Scott:

https://twistedoakyogaandwellness.offeringtree.com

https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1262404

Email us at unscriptedcuriosity@gmail.com

We'd love to hear from you!

In the Season 2 opener of Unscripted Curiosity, Jenn and Scott are joined by the thoughtful, funny, and deeply reflective Theodore Ambie‑Barango for a conversation about courage, curiosity, and the long road of questioning what we were taught to believe.

Theodore shares his journey from growing up in a deeply religious home in Nigeria to moving to Canada for university, building a career in tech, and eventually writing his book Lost in Scripture—a vulnerable exploration of faith, doubt, and deconstruction. He speaks openly about the tension between honoring where we come from and having the courage to think for ourselves, especially when education, lived experience, and curiosity start asking new questions.

Together, they talk about how doubt often begins quietly, how learning to hold multiple perspectives can deepen empathy, and why understanding the “why” behind our beliefs (and each other) matters so much—whether in families, relationships, or across cultures. Along the way, they touch on music, writing as a healing practice, therapy, and the teachers and mentors who shape us in lasting ways.

This conversation is an invitation to stay curious, stay compassionate, and be brave enough to grow—even when it’s uncomfortable.

You can buy Theo's book Lost In Scripture on Amazon: https://a.co/d/hqADnor

Connect with Jenn & Scott:

https://twistedoakyogaandwellness.offeringtree.com

https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1262404

Email us at unscriptedcuriosity@gmail.com

We'd love to hear from you!

In this final episode of 2025, Jenn and Scott cozy up for a reflective (and squirrel-adjacent) conversation to close out Season One of Unscripted Curiosity. They look back on a year of podcasting—16 episodes filled with real talk, remarkable guests, and a growing comfort with doing things imperfectly. Jenn shares how the podcast helped her loosen the grip of perfectionism, while Scott reflects on finding freedom in unscripted dialogue and the joy of connecting with curious minds.

They talk about what it’s meant to prioritize rest, set boundaries, and let authenticity lead the way—even when it means canceling an episode or mixing up the start time due to time zone differences. From wellness ruts to retirement pacing, journaling goals to gym routines, the conversation moves through work, identity, and what it means to choose a life that feels like your own.

Also mentioned: red squirrels, paper calendars, and starting a journaling group in 2026—email us if your curious about joining the group (or want to know more about squirrels or how things were scheduled before Google calendar).

Connect with Jenn & Scott:

https://twistedoakyogaandwellness.offeringtree.com

https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1262404

Email us at unscriptedcuriosity@gmail.com

We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of Unscripted Curiosity, Jenn and Scott are joined by friend of the pod Chelsea Elmquist for a grounded, thoughtful, and often funny conversation about career pivots, parenting, and the power of presence. Chelsea shares her journey from policing and crisis negotiation to pursuing a Master’s in Counselling Psychology—while raising two kids and rethinking what self-care actually looks like.

Together, the trio explore the transferable skills that come from high-stress jobs, including active listening, empathy, and learning how to set boundaries without burning out. They touch on the evolving nature of self-care, how strength training supports mental and physical health, and why walking mindfully (sometimes with snacks) might be more healing than sprinting through the hard stuff.

This conversation is a mix of wisdom, humour, and real talk about navigating transitions with intention, whether you’re in a negotiation room or making dinner for toddlers.

Connect with Jenn & Scott:

https://twistedoakyogaandwellness.offeringtree.com

https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1262404

Email us at unscriptedcuriosity@gmail.com

We'd love to hear from you!

In this catch-up episode of Unscripted Curiosity, Jenn and Scott reconnect over everything from pasta dough to nervous system lows. Scott shares stories from his recent trip to Italy—including yoga, food tears, unplanned adventures, and a surprise brush with the Pope—while also reflecting on a challenging experience with hypoarousal and how he found his way back through rest, movement, and gelato (among other things).

Together, they explore how stress shows up in the body, why self-talk matters, and the surprising ways travel can reset the system. As always, the conversation weaves personal reflection with playful banter, curiosity, and care.

Connect with Jenn & Scott:

https://twistedoakyogaandwellness.offeringtree.com

https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1262404

Email us at unscriptedcuriosity@gmail.com

We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of Unscripted Curiosity, Jenn and Scott are joined by friend and collaborator Kim Grykuliak for a wide-ranging conversation on work, wellness, and long walks—both literal and metaphorical.

Together, they explore Kim’s journey from HR and event planning into nonprofit leadership, where she found meaning and purpose at the Zebra Centre and later, in addiction recovery work. Along the way, Kim reflects on learning to care for her well-being in new ways, tuning into the signals of her body, and making space for rest and recovery. She also reflects on becoming a parent, returning to work, and finding healing through service and movement.

From 12-hour silent walks to mountain summits and long-distance training, the trio talk about the physical and mental practices that have shaped their capacity to show up—for others and themselves. They explore what it means to plan for growth, to rest with intention, and to stay connected across seasons of change.

This episode is both grounded and expansive, offering a glimpse into the quiet courage it takes to keep evolving—one step at a time.

Connect with Jenn & Scott:

https://twistedoakyogaandwellness.offeringtree.com

https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1262404

Email us at unscriptedcuriosity@gmail.com

We'd love to hear from you!

In this expansive and energizing conversation, Jenn and Scott sit down with David Bidler, co-founder of Physiology First, an organization on a mission to bring physiology-based education into the mainstream to support mental and physical health across the lifespan.

David shares his powerful personal journey—from early struggles with substance use to discovering purpose through Brazilian jiu-jitsu and ultramarathon running. His story weaves together themes of resilience, curiosity, and the role of movement in transforming lives. What began as a training center for endurance athletes has since grown into a global initiative to reimagine how we understand and support youth mental health.

Together, the trio explore the limits of the current mental health model, the value of building physical and social infrastructure, and why foundational habits—like sleep, hydration, sunlight, and movement—are more radical than they seem. David introduces the idea of focusing on one’s personal "hammer" (your zone of genius), and how developing that single tool deeply may be more impactful than chasing versatility.

They also discuss the promises and perils of artificial intelligence, including the emotional ties people—especially youth—are forming with AI companions. David invites deeper inquiry into how we can build purpose in an increasingly digital world and announces an upcoming 200-mile run to raise awareness and funding for Physiology First’s youth programs.

From frozen feet and lost toenails to existential purpose and the future of AI, this conversation offers both practical insights and philosophical reflection on what it means to be a human in training—for life.

Connect with David:

Website: https://physiologyfirst.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/physiologyfirst/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bidler-765aa745/

Connect with Jenn & Scott:

https://twistedoakyogaandwellness.offeringtree.com

https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1262404

Email us at unscriptedcuriosity@gmail.com

We'd love to hear from you!