EPISODES
Ready for some real talk? Check out the latest episodes.
S2E10: On the Road with MNU
February 5, 2026
In this episode of Shift Happens, our co-hosts talk about what they’ve been hearing on the President’s Tour across Manitoba’s health regions. Darlene and Brandi discuss the value of being physically present in nurses’ workplaces, making time for direct, face-to-face conversations, and staying grounded in the day-to-day realities of the profession. For nurses, these visits are a meaningful opportunity to connect with their union leadership in their own communities, ask questions, share perspectives, and see how their experiences inform the work happening at the provincial level. These conversations continue to shape advocacy at MNU, ensuring member voices are reflected in the union’s priorities and pressure on decision-makers. Because effective representation starts with showing up.
S2E9: Making Sense of Misinformation
January 22, 2026
Every week, there’s a new headline saying healthcare is improving. But for nurses, the story feels very different. In this episode of Shift Happens, Brandi and Darlene are joined by Michelle Lark, MNU’s in-house researcher, to break down how data gets used to shape public perception and why that matters. They dig into how cherry-picking data can distort reality, and why context is the difference between information and spin. This is a conversation about how to question the data you’re being shown, understand the story it’s trying to tell, and hold decision-makers to account.
S2E8: Sameshift.ca
January 8, 2026
In this episode of Shift Happens, Brandi and Darlene break down MNU’s Same Shift, Different Day campaign: why it was needed, how it came to life, and why it’s now resonating beyond Manitoba. They unpack the real issues behind the campaign billboards — workplace violence, mental health and workplace culture, and the strain unsafe conditions place on patient care — and why these realities show up shift after shift. They also share how the campaign sparked a national movement through the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, and how the public can take action at sameshift.ca.
S2E7: On Shift for the Holidays
December 11, 2025
The holidays don’t hit pause in healthcare, and nurses know that better than anyone. In this special holiday episode of Shift Happens, Brandi and Darlene talk about what it’s like to work through the season. The strain. The missed moments. The responsibility. And the quiet, powerful ways nurses show up for patients when it matters most. You’ll also hear holiday messages from nurse leaders and colleagues across the country, sharing reflections on strength, family, generosity, and what keeps them grounded and connected when the pressure is high. From all of us at MNU, thank you to every nurse for the care and dedication you bring to every shift. We’ll see you in the new year!
S2E6: Leadership is a Skill, Not Just a Title
November 27, 2025
Every nurse can name a manager who shaped their career — for better or for worse.In part two of our conversation with Dr. Kim McMillan from the University of Ottawa, Brandi and Darlene dive into the realities of the nurse manager role. Kim breaks down the balancing act managers face every day, from advocating for their staff to navigating executive expectations, bureaucracy, and system-level constraints. Together, they explore the qualities that define strong leadership, why so many managers are set up to struggle, and what needs to change to build leaders nurses can trust and workplaces where leadership truly supports safe care.
S2E5: If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes
November 13, 2025
Nursing culture is one of the most misunderstood parts of the profession—especially by the people making decisions about healthcare. In the first episode of this two-part conversation, Brandi and Darlene sit down with Dr. Kim McMillan, associate professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Ottawa, to dig into what “culture” truly means in nursing and why it’s so often reduced to oversimplified ideas. Drawing on her research, Dr. McMillan explains the foundations of nursing culture, where common misconceptions come from, and how systemic pressures shape the way nurses practice today.
S2E4: Care Isn’t Care Without Compassion
October 30, 2025
On June 19, 2025, everything changed for Tara and her family. Her seven-year-old son, Brayden, was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia—a rare and life-threatening condition. Their world turned upside down overnight, and Tara was suddenly living every parent’s worst fear. In this episode, Brandi and Darlene sit down with Tara as she shares what it’s like to live inside the healthcare system, and about the nurses who became her family’s lifeline. From small acts of kindness to moments of extraordinary compassion, her story is a powerful reminder of the difference nurses make, even when the system makes it hard for them to keep going. Because sometimes, a story of compassion is exactly what we need to remember why nurses do what they do.
S2E3: The Institutional Kind of Betrayal
October 16, 2025
Nurses know what it feels like to be ignored. To report violence or raise safety concerns and hear nothing back. To be told change is coming, and then wait months or years while conditions only get worse. It’s happening all over this province right now. That silence has a name: institutional betrayal.
In this episode, Darlene and Brandi sit down with Dr. Katherine Brewer, Assistant Professor at Towson University, to unpack what institutional betrayal looks like in healthcare, why it persists, and what courage in leadership truly means.
S2E2: Mentorship is the Best Medicine
October 2, 2025
Sometimes the line between thriving and burning out as a new nurse comes down to two words: nurse mentorship.
In this episode, Brandi and Darlene are joined by public health nurses Katryna and Hayley, a mentor–mentee duo from rural Manitoba, to talk about how trust, teamwork, and a little guidance can change everything for nurses starting out.
Plus, in this week’s That Good Shift segment, members share heartfelt thank-you messages to the mentors who helped guide their journey.
Whether you’re a seasoned nurse looking to support the next generation or a new grad searching for guidance, this conversation proves mentorship can really make all the difference.
S2E1: Back on Shift
September 18, 2025
Shift Happens is back for another season, and Brandi and Darlene are ready to dive in! In this episode, they reflect on why the podcast matters, touch on the challenges and wins that shaped the summer, and share what’s ahead for nurses and the union. Listeners can expect a renewed sense of energy and a few exciting changes to the show, designed to keep nurse voices front and centre while balancing hard truths with hope. Season 2 is here, and it’s all about connection, advocacy, and celebrating the people who keep Manitoba’s healthcare system moving.
S1E12: CLOCKING OUT (FOR NOW)
July 31, 2025
Season 1 of Shift Happens brought important conversations and bold truths. In our season finale, Brandi and Darlene sit down to reflect on the stories that stuck with them, the guests who shook things up, and the real talk that made this season memorable.
But they’re not just looking back. They’re looking ahead… to a second season filled with hope, fresh perspectives, and a renewed commitment to amplifying the voices of nurses and pushing for real change in health care.
S1E11: Enter at Your Own Risk?
July 17, 2025
Home care nurse Mandee shares the day a routine visit took a dangerous turn, when she and a colleague were unknowingly exposed to meth. In this episode, Brandi, Darlene, and Mandee unpack the very real risks nurses face when delivering care in people’s homes, especially in rural areas, where resources are limited and safety plans don’t always hold up in practice. It’s a candid look at what happens when nurses are sent into unpredictable environments while the system shrugs and hopes for the best.
S1E10: We’re in the Same Fight
July 3, 2025
Nurses and police officers work side by side every day, facing the same tough challenges in high-pressure environments. In this episode, Darlene and Brandi sit down with Tom Stamatakis, President of the Canadian Police Association, to dive into the connection between these two frontline professions. They discuss why it’s crucial for nurses, police, and all frontline workers to unite and advocate for more. For better. For lasting change. Not just for these workers, but for the communities they serve and the future of these vital careers.
S1E9: Regulations Are Written in Blood
June 19, 2025
The math doesn’t add up. Nurses are caring for critically ill patients with no staffing standards in place, while industries like childcare, aviation, and even pet care have strict safety limits. It’s not just unfair. It’s dangerous.
Research has long shown that nurse-patient ratios save lives, reduce complications, and prevent burnout. In this episode, Brandi and Darlene break down what safe nurse-patient ratios should look like and how MNU is pushing for made-in-Manitoba solutions.
S1E8: Hanging on by a Thread
June 5, 2025
Nurses and paramedics in Manitoba are facing the same crushing pressures—heavy workloads, violence, burnout, and little support. In this episode, Brandi and Darlene talk to Ryan Woiden, president of MGEU Local 911, about the striking similarities between these two professions and the toll it’s taking on those on the frontlines. They also highlight the importance of linking arms with other unions to drive change. Tune in for a frank conversation on the real cost of caring and the changes that need to happen to protect workers. Trigger Warning: This episode discusses mental health and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.
S1E7: Same Shift, Different Day
May 22, 2025
In this episode of Shift Happens, Darlene and Brandi reflect on the whirlwind week of MNU’s 50th Anniversary AGM. From the high-energy rally at the legislature to an honest look at the ongoing tension with government, they dive into what’s really been happening behind the scenes, the frustration nurses are feeling, and why it’s more important than ever to keep fighting the good fight.
S1E6: Stories You Can’t Unhear ft. Doug Darling
May 8, 2025
Nurses know firsthand that their real-life experiences are powerful tools for advocacy and stories that need to be heard. In this episode, Darlene and Brandi are joined by Doug Darling, CEO & Executive Creative Director of Tripwire Media Group, to discuss the impact of storytelling in driving change. They reflect on past MNU campaigns, and Doug shares why authentic stories can inspire action and spark meaningful change.
S1E5: PTSD & the Failure to Protect Nurses
April 24, 2025
What happens when the system fails the very people who keep it running? In this powerful episode, Brandi and Darlene sit down with Kelly, a frontline nurse, who shares her story of workplace trauma and PTSD. Kelly reveals the devastating effects of sexual assault at work and the struggles she faced to receive the proper supports. This episode is a raw look at the urgent need for real change in healthcare—stronger mental health support, zero tolerance for unacceptable behaviour, and accountable leadership. If you’ve experienced workplace trauma, you’re not alone. Speak up. Reach out.
S1E4: SOLIDARITY ISN’T OPTIONAL
April 10, 2025
Misinformation is rampant. Division is growing. And across Canada, public sector workers—from nurses to teachers to police officers—are burning out. In this episode of Shift Happens, Brandi and Darlene tackle what’s fuelling the chaos we’re all feeling, who it’s hurting most, and why Canadian solidarity isn’t just a nice idea. It’s a necessity.
S1E3: THIS SHIFT HURTS ft. KATIE STARK
March 27, 2025
Nurses sign up to save lives, not to dodge punches. Violence in healthcare is rising, and for nurses, it’s becoming an everyday reality. In this episode, MNU Vice President-to-be Katie Stark shares her firsthand experience with workplace violence, the gaps in support for nurses, and the fight for real safety measures. From staffing shortages to security failures, we’re breaking down the rise in violence, and what needs to change now.
S1E2: The Cost of Caring ft. Paige Mathison
March 13, 2025
We know that nursing isn’t just physically exhausting. It’s emotionally and psychologically draining, too. And yet, nurses are expected to just keep going, push through, shift after shift. But at what cost? Paige Mathison—a former psychiatric nurse turned clinical counsellor—joins Darlene and Brandi to talk about the heavy emotional toll of nursing, why so many healthcare workers struggle with unprocessed trauma, and what we can do about it.
S1E1: Hello? Is This Mic On?
February 27, 2025
Let’s get into it! Welcome to Shift Happens. In this first episode, hosts Darlene Jackson and Brandi Johnson introduce the podcast, share why now is the time for bold conversations about nursing and healthcare, and set the stage for what’s ahead. Get ready for real talk, unfiltered stories, and a deep dive into the issues that matter most to nurses.
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