It’s Never Too Late To Change Lanes
SpeakUP! International Inc.October 09, 202600:55:23

It’s Never Too Late To Change Lanes

You can hear it right away: Augustine Obang moves through the world with purpose, and he’s not interested in surface-level advice. From being raised in Toronto’s Jane and Finch community to working in primary health care and mental health support, Augustine brings a grounded, hopeful perspective on what it actually takes to help people heal, especially seniors facing depression, isolation, and chronic disease.

Augustine breaks down what “client-centred” really means in practice: building a therapeutic alliance, listening without judgment, and seeing the person beyond the diagnosis. He also shares a powerful reading of “Dare to Dream” from his book Changing Lanes, connecting storytelling, poetic therapy, and literacy to resilience and real change.

If this leaves you thinking about your own next step, you’re not alone. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.

0:18 Welcome And Meet Augustine
1:52 Identity, Roots And Jane And Finch
3:11 Education Path And Creative Work
6:25 Poem Reading Dare To Dream
9:56 Why He Chose Social Work
13:06 What Patient-Centred Care Means
15:31 Trauma, Perspective And Real Listening
18:59 Supporting Seniors Through Depression
22:51 Who Shaped The Person He Is
25:09 Chronic Disease And System Barriers
28:27 Enough Is Enough With Red Tape
32:28 Destigmatizing Mental Health In Community
37:08 Daily Habits For Better Well-Being
40:04 Preventing Burnout And Reimagining Care
43:47 Three Things He Admires In Himself
46:33 You Matter And Closing Message
Descript, community builders, Speak Up International, Augustine Obeng, leadership,