Welcome to Rhodes Wellness College Podcast!
Hosted by Jameson Dean, a seasoned wellness professional and proud Rhodes Wellness College graduate, this podcast is a space for deep, meaningful conversations about personal growth, healing, and transformation. Join Jameson as he connects with wellness experts, coaches, counsellors, and inspiring alumni to explore how they’ve applied their training to create impactful careers and lead fulfilling lives. Whether you’re a student, graduate, or simply passionate about wellness, this podcast offers valuable insights, real-life stories, and practical tools to support your journey toward well-being. Tune in and be inspired!
Episode 10: Carla Webb – Professional Animal Assisted Wellness Therapy Program Lead and Creator
Carla Webb is a seasoned practitioner in animal-assisted wellness therapy with nearly 20 years of experience working with animals and clients in therapeutic settings. Based in Abbotsford, BC, she has built a full-time practice supporting children, youth, and individuals through trauma-informed, nature-based approaches. With a background that includes 14 years in policing, Carla brings a unique lens to understanding trauma, human behavior, and the healing potential of human-animal relationships. As the lead creator of Rhodes Wellness College’s Professional Animal Assisted Wellness Therapy Diploma, Carla has helped design a comprehensive, ethics-driven, competency-based program launching in July 2026.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- Animal-assisted wellness therapy: How working with animals and nature creates powerful opportunities for healing and personal growth.
- The connection between humans, animals, and nature: Why reconnecting with the natural world is essential for mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
- Trauma-informed, holistic approaches: Understanding how animals help regulate the nervous system and support trauma recovery.
- Building strong facilitation skills: The importance of coaching, observation, and mindfulness as the foundation for working with clients and animal partners.
- Ethics and professionalism in an emerging field: Creating safe, respectful, and mutually beneficial relationships between practitioners, clients, and animals.
Episode 9: Sara Bertrand – Professional Counselling Diploma and Professional Integrative Nutrition Counselling Diploma Graduate
Sara is a holistic nutritionist and wellness counsellor based in Red Deer, Alberta, certified in life and health coaching, nutrition and wellness counselling and holds an RHNC designation from the Health Coach Alliance. Sara also has a background in medical laboratory science, and a thorough understanding of lab tests, their results and meanings and how they relate to your overall wellness. Sara has graduated from Rhodes Wellness College with a Professional Counselling Diploma and Professional Integrative Nutrition Counselling Diploma, allowing her to provide online and in-person counselling, nutrition counselling and coaching sessions.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
Holistic nutrition and wellness: Practical advice on eating and living for overall health.
Understanding your lab tests: How to interpret medical bloodwork and what it means for your body.
Bridging science and natural healing: Combining her medical laboratory background with holistic therapies.
Life and health coaching: Actionable tips for achieving your personal wellness goals.
Integrative counselling: Exploring the connection between mental, emotional, and physical health.
Episode 8: Jess Sutton – Actress, Rhodes Life Coach & Current Counselling Student
Welcome to the Rhodes Wellness Podcast with Jameson Dean! In this episode, we’re joined by Jess Sutton. Actress, Rhodes Life Coach & Current Counselling Student.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
The beauty of life coaching and the beginnings of counselling training at Rhodes Wellness College. Jess Sutton loves to talk to people – a curious creature who is drawn to the mess and mystery of being human. A South African now based in Vancouver, Canada. Her professional acting career spans over two decades in the television and film industry. Most recognized for her role as Tally Craven in Disney’s series Motherland: Fort Salem, Mia in Netflix’s The Kissing Booth and most recently in CBS’s Tracker opposite Justin Hartley. She’s a certified Life Coach through Rhodes Wellness College and a member of the ICF. She coaches confidence and communication for clients who are struggling to find their voice and take up space in their lives and work. If curious, contact: jessicasuttoncoaching@gmail.com to book a free consultation.
Episode 7: A chat with Rhodes Wellness College President Ben Colling
In this episode, we’re joined by Rhodes President Ben Colling, who shares powerful insights into the Rhodes/VSOHA learning philosophy and why it can be infinitely valuable for both personal growth and professional development.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- Why experiential, hands-on learning creates lasting impact for students in the helping professions
- Exciting new programs in development at Rhodes, including Animal Assisted Therapy and Holistic Leadership, both rooted in the same core values and principles as our current offerings
If you’d like to learn more about Rhodes Wellness College, you can explore our programs here: https://www.rhodescollege.ca
Tune in for an inspiring conversation about education, growth, and the future of wellness training.
Episode 6: What is Counselling Training like with Vanessa de Souza
Welcome to the Rhodes Wellness Podcast with Jameson Dean! In this episode, we’re joined by Vanessa de Souza (MSW, RSW), Supervisor of Life Skills Counselling at Rhodes Wellness College.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- What the Life Skills Counselling Certificate/Program/Semester 2 is all about at Rhodes
- How Vanessa’s years of experience in Social Work and education shape her approach to training students
- The skills students gain to become counselling-informed coaches, helpers, or healers
Our Life Skills Counselling Certificate is offered both Full-Time and Part-Time (2 evenings per week, starting each January). Please note: Coaching Semester 1 may be required before Counselling Semester 2.
Tune in for an insightful conversation that highlights
Episode 5: Registered Counsellor & Alumni
Welcome to this special episode of the Rhodes Wellness Podcast! Hosted by Jameson Dean – Rhodes Wellness College Alumni and Admissions Specialist, in this Episode, we interview Janice Ha, a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC) with the ACCT in Vancouver, B.C.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- What the Rhodes Professional Counselling Diploma program has done for Janice personally and professionally
- How it has helped her to feel comfortable and confident supporting others in counselling sessions
Episode 4: End-of-Life Doula Training Special with Stephen Garret, Jill Cherewyk & Rebekka Walker
Welcome to this special episode of the Rhodes Wellness Podcast! Hosted by Jameson Dean – Rhodes Wellness College Alumni and Admissions Specialist, this episode features a rich and heartfelt conversation with the three instructors leading our Summer 2025 End-of-Life Doula Certificate Program.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- What makes Rhodes’ End-of-Life Doula training deeply experiential and transformative
- The unique perspectives and specialties of each instructor
- The emotional, spiritual, and practical dimensions of end-of-life care
Featured guests include:
- Stephen Garrett – Grief Educator, Spiritual Counsellor, Death Doula, and Board Member at the End-of-Life Doula Association of Canada – watch
- Jill Cherewyk (PCC, RTC) – ICF-Certified Life Coach, Registered Counsellor, and Coaching Educator – watch
- Rebekka Walker – Death Doula, Wellness Educator, Somatic Practitioner, and Program Director at Vancouver School of Healing Arts – watch
Whether you’re called to support others through the sacred end-of-life journey or are curious about this growing field, this episode offers invaluable insight, wisdom, and heart.
Episode 3: Rhodes Podcast – The Inside Story with Victoria Mercedes Rose
Welcome to the Rhodes Wellness Podcast with Jameson Dean! In this episode, we’re joined by the inspiring Victoria Mercedes Rose, a graduate of Rhodes Wellness College’s Professional Counseling Diploma.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- Victoria’s journey as a counselor and coach, reflecting on what it means to be a “soul in a human body
- The challenges of defining oneself
- How she brings authenticity to her work
Tune in to hear an honest and heartfelt conversation about life, learning, and the path to becoming a helping professional.
Episode 2: Rhodes Podcast – The Inside Story with Harj Thiara
Welcome back to the Rhodes Podcast! In this episode, host Jameson Dean chats with Harjit Tiara, a Rhodes alumnus who has built a thriving career as a coach, registered counsellor, instructor, and facilitator.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- Harjit’s start in coaching and transition into counselling
- The power of experiential learning
- Working across different roles: coaching, counselling, instructing, and facilitating
Whether you’re a prospective student, a current practitioner, or simply curious about the wellness field, Harjit’s story offers valuable insights into building a purpose-driven career.
Episode 1: Rhodes Podcast – The Inside Story with Dustin Hogan
Welcome to the very first episode of the Rhodes Podcast! Hosted by Jameson Dean – Rhodes Wellness College Alumni, Admissions Specialist, this episode features an in-depth conversation with Dustin Hogan, a graduate of the Professional Counselling Diploma Program at Rhodes. In this episode, we explore:
- Dustin’s transformative journey at Rhodes.
- How he carved a niche in Men’s Online Mental Health Counselling.
- Insights into his powerful TEDx Talk (now available to watch here!).
Jameson is excited to dive deep into engaging conversations with wellness professionals and or Rhodes alumni who have graduated from the college’s many Coaching, Wellness, and Counselling programs. He’ll be asking exciting questions about what their work or wellness practice looks like now, how they’ve applied their learnings in their careers, and what wellness means to them today. Through these stories and insights, Jameson aims to inspire listeners and create a platform for continued learning, growth, and connection in the world of wellness. Stay tuned for more!
