Episode notes
Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Marie Christine Le Bourdais, Director of Programs and Services – Partnership and Alliance Development at the Alzheimer Society of Montreal. Susana Lazaro is President and CEO of Diabetes Quebec. As a former nurse, Susana brings a deep, real-world understanding of the healthcare system and collaborates closely with healthcare professionals, hospitals, and government partners to drive meaningful change.
Podcast
Difference Makers
Hosted by Sam Watts, the show features stories, interviews and listener interaction that aims to identify people and organizations doing good work in our community. There are so many great stories, wonderful people and iconic institutions that provide a variety of community services and activities.
More from Difference Makers All episodes →
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9 May 2026 · 36 min
Difference Makers: Episode 34
Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Art Campbell, Director of Québec Homelessness Prevention Policy Collaborative and Ian Boeckh, President and Director of the Graham Boeckh Foundation, a private family foundation that is dedicated to transforming mental health services.
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11 Apr 2026 · 37 min
Difference Makers: Episode 30
Difference Makers: Episode 30, Robyn Dalton, Pascal Mathieu
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28 Mar 2026 · 38 min
Difference Makers: Episode 28
Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Dr. Olivier Farmer, a psychiatrist at Notre-Dame Hospital and an Associate Clinical Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Montreal. Mike Weston is the director of Andy’s House Treatment Centre. He co-founded Andy’s House Treatment Centre with the intention of filling a need for more heart centred care in the recovery world.
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21 Mar 2026 · 37 min
Difference Makers: Episode 27
Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Valerie Assouline who, with more than two decades of experience as a family lawyer, having been a prominent member of the Quebec Bar since 1998, founded SOS Avocats in 2007. Sandra Watson is Mental Health & Reintegration Director at the West Island Mission. Sandra has over 10 years of experience supporting individuals, families, and seniors facing food insecurity, social isolation, grief, and complex psychosocial challenges.
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14 Mar 2026 · 38 min
Difference Makers: Episode 26
Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Leslie Acs, Executive Director of La Passerelle, Leslie devotes his efforts top providing tools and support for mature workers’ re-entry into the workforce and creating public awareness of effective recruitment practices, including hiring mature workers. Millie Tresierra is co-founder of Family Care Collective, deeply implicated for almost two decades in advocacy for perinatal mental health resources as a Doula. Millie is a…
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7 Mar 2026 · 39 min
Difference Makers: Episode 25
Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Jean-Rémi Mayrand, founder of Les Colocs de l'Ouest, a fabulous residential project on the West Island developed for young adults on the autism spectrum. Judy Martin is the Executive Director of the Hylcan Foundation, which accepts grant applications from registered charities across Canada.
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28 Feb 2026 · 37 min
Difference Makers: Episode 24
Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with John Gladu, director of L’Aiguillage since 2014, an organization that offers support to the homeless population of Vaudreuil-Soulanges. Benoit Langevin is City Counsellor for District du Bois-de-Liesse, Arrondissement de Pierrefonds-Roxboro. He has consolidated a team of youth outreach workers in 10 municipalities on the West Island of Montreal.
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