In this deeply honest and insightful episode, Just Us on Justice and Other Things hosts Scott and Dan Jones sit down with Andrew Martin, a veteran firefighter and paramedic who has spent two decades in service — and just as many years studying the human side of the job: stress, recovery, and what it means to stay well in a system that rarely slows down.

Scott opens the episode by sharing a vulnerable story about his own recent nervous system crash — a moment of hypoarousal where he struggled to find motivation or energy. He recalls reaching out to Andrew, who offered reassurance drawn from lived experience and research. Their candid exchange sets the tone for an hour of reflection, science, and systems-level conversation about what happens when helpers hit their own limits.

As always, the hosts remind listeners that these are personal opinions and reflections, not tied to any organization or department. The goal is to explore the systems behind the experiences of first responders, educators, and others working in high-stress environments — not to criticize any one agency.

In this episode, Scott and Dan sit riverside in Edmonton’s fall colors to tackle some big and timely issues. After scrapping a first attempt (because they realized they were “grossly wrong” on a key point), the brothers return with a candid conversation that blends politics, education, policing, and a call for compassion.
Topics Covered
Alberta Teacher Strike
Why teachers are without a contract and heading toward a strike.
Class sizes, class complexity, and the wage gap.
How underfunding impacts not just teachers, but kids, families, and long-term social outcomes.
Personal stories from inside the education sector and why being “pro-teacher” matters.
Book Bans in Alberta
From The Handmaid’s Tale to 1984: why banning books is never just about books.
The slippery slope of censorship and distractions from real educational issues.
Gun Buybacks in Canada
Evidence from around the world: why buybacks don’t reduce crime.
The problem of performative politics vs. evidence-based policing.
New Edmonton Police Chief
The appointment of Warren Dreichel.
Mental health and wellness in policing—why it matters more than ever.
The importance of second chances and leadership rooted in lived experience.
Truth and Reconciliation Day
Beyond checkboxes and land acknowledgments.
Walking daily with Indigenous peoples in a spirit of love and compassion.
Key Takeaways
Education is the strongest crime prevention tool we have.
Teachers are not babysitters—they’re professionals shaping the future.
Political parties on both sides have failed educators, and it’s time for accountability.
Performative policies, whether book bans or gun buybacks, don’t solve real problems.
Compassion—in classrooms, police services, and communities—has to be our starting point.
Closing Thought
“Truth and Reconciliation isn’t a day—it’s how we live, walk, and honor history every single day.”

In this episode, Scott and Dan welcome renowned chef Shane Chartrand to the table for a wide-ranging and heartfelt conversation. From humble beginnings in rural Alberta to competing on Top Chef Canada, Shane shares his journey through food, culture, and identity.
Together they explore:
🌾 Shane’s early days growing up on a farm and how food first became his calling
🔥 His competitive spirit in culinary contests and the lessons learned from winning—and losing
🍲 Staying true to Indigenous roots in the world of fine dining and television
🌍 Traveling, learning from communities across Canada and beyond, and honoring cultural food traditions
💡 The challenges of representing Indigenous cuisine in mainstream culinary spaces
❤️ How food can heal, connect people, and preserve culture—from cooking with youth to dreaming of programs for the incarcerated
📚 His acclaimed cookbook tawâw and future plans for Indigenous culinary experiences in Edmonton
This is more than a conversation about cooking—it’s about resilience, truth, and the power of food to bridge cultures and tell stories.
🔗 Connect with Chef Shane Chartrand
Instagram | Facebook | TikTok: @shanemshartrand
📖 Book: tawâw: Progressive Indigenous Cuisine

[Season 4 / Episode 12 - Oops...We're Guestless Again]
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In this episode, Scott and his brother Dan host an unscripted, guestless discussion reflecting on personal growth, endurance, and daily rituals. Highlights include:

Dan’s humorous story of getting “accidentally buzzed” on a rum cocktail while watching golf.

Scott’s inspiring journey learning to swim from scratch and completing a triathlon, exploring themes of perseverance, fear, and physical challenge.

Reflections on the impact of endurance events on mental healtem regulation.

Insights into cathartic activities, including cooking, walking in nature, cocktail-making, and heavy bag workouts.

Discussions on lifestyle habits, from grapefruit and cranberry juice routines to managing late-night eating habits.

Lighthearted commentary on sports etiquette, golf frustrations, and the quirks of daily life.

The episode blends humor, life lessons, and personal anecdotes, offering listeners an intimate look into the brothers’ reflections on growth, discipline, and enjoyment of life’s small pleasures.yment of life’s small pleasures.

In this episode, Scott and Dan Jones welcome the insightful and dynamic Heather Smith to the show. From a childhood oven-mitt story gone wrong to a deep dive into careers, purpose, and reinvention, this conversation flows from lighthearted laughs to meaningful reflections on identity and transition.

Heather shares her journey from policing to executive coaching, touching on what it’s like to be married to a California free spirit, raising a family, and stepping away from a law enforcement career after more than a decade of service. Together, the trio explores:

✨ Finding strength in unexpected places
✨ Reinvention and the courage to start again
✨ The identity shifts that come with leaving policing
✨ Why interpersonal skills matter more than “fitting the mold”
✨ Balancing career, family, and purpose

Heather’s story is one of resilience, curiosity, and courage—and a reminder that strengths aren’t always what you think they are.

In this unplanned guest-less episode, Scott and Dan lean into candid conversation, venting frustrations, sharing personal stories, and reflecting deeply on trauma, empathy, and modern life. They kick things off with a raw discussion about the recurring issue of last-minute guest cancellations and how it feels like disrespect—especially when even a casual, unpaid podcast takes behind-the-scenes effort and planning.
The episode then pivots into heavier territory as the brothers address a tragic child murder case, triggering reflections on the ripple effects of trauma in first responder communities. Scott, drawing on his background in homicide, offers heartfelt praise for EMS and correctional officers—groups often overlooked despite their exposure to immense stress and suffering.
From there, the tone lightens as Dan recounts a hilariously humbling road rage encounter at Costco and they reflect on everyday moments that shape emotional growth. Their observations on screen addiction in kids lead to admiration for a mom panning for gold with her sons—an impromptu example of parenting done right.
They round out the conversation with personal updates: weddings, vacations, time in Niagara-on-the-Lake and Saskatchewan, gym gains, powwow experiences, and some memorable moments from the golf course—including coyotes, ducklings, and a viral video involving a former NHL player and a lake-side altercation.

Hosts Dan and Scott Jones sit down with Ron McIntyre—former educator, football coach, and now published author. They reflect on McIntyre's long-standing relationship with the hosts' family, his upbringing in Edmonton, Alberta, and his coaching and teaching career at McNally High School. The conversation is informal and personal, touching on discipline, mentorship, and legacy.

In this long-awaited return episode, Scott and Dan Jones sit down with Jared Zsombor—a long-time colleague and a uniquely experienced professional in death investigations. With a career that began in high school and spanned international war zones and transplant recovery, Jared’s story is anything but ordinary. Together, they reflect on shared experiences from their time as homicide detectives and dive deep into the world of forensic death investigation, the emotional toll of international work, and the human side of handling loss with dignity.
Together, we explore:
The emotional and psychological toll of working with death
The invisible trauma of being the one who sees, reports, and translates death to the living
The difference between the work of Medical Examiners vs. Coroners in Canada
Why some scenes haunt us—and others, surprisingly, don't
How shared grief and unexpected connections (like a family tissue donation story) can bring healing
The importance of community and humor in high-trauma professions
What happens when you finally step away from the work—and why that can be the hardest part

If you've ever worked in high-intensity, frontline, or trauma-exposed professions—or love someone who has—this conversation will hit home. It’s about what we carry, what we bury, and what finally rises when the noise stops.

In this thought-provoking episode we explored the deep and interconnected themes of death, life and the transitions that shape our existence

This was a spectacular conversation with Colleen Mooney. Who if we had a sister she would be it. We could have chatted for at least 2 more hours but this 90 minutes was outstanding.

We talked about wellness, competitive spirit, resilience and so much more.

The brothers Jones sat in the ravine and chatted about School Resource Officers, Watches, and so much more. It was fun just the two of us again.

This was an amazing conversation with two amazing women. We recorded this in season 3 but due to some technical issues had to wait until season 4 to release it. We spoke about mental health and policing, the benefits of equine therapy and so much more.

We are excited to get this episode out.

An instant connection between the retired brothers and a serving police officer from the US. We talked origin stories, adventure readiness, retirement and relationships. A great chat with a new friend.

Colleen Rue, also known as the Voice of the Mountain, joined Scott Jones and guest co-host Kim Grykuliak. Colleen discussed her career in the legal system supporting victims and her personal athletic endurance journey. We spoke about experiences of 29029 Everesting from how she got involved with this amazing event, what she enjoys most as MC and Scott and Kim's perspective as participants.

COLLEEN'S BIO (Emcee & Announcer Focus)
Colleen Rue is a seasoned endurance athlete and dynamic media professional with a rich and varied career. She brings expertise and passion to her work, helping others achieve their goals and push their limits. Her unique skill set allows her to forge deep connections between people and brands, enhancing events and experiences with her engaging presence.

Colleen’s ability to foster personal growth and build lasting bonds is at the heart of her work. Whether she’s motivating athletes to cross the finish line or captivating an audience with her words, she creates meaningful experiences that resonate long after the event is over.

BIO NOTE
As I mentioned, my original career was as a paralegal where I worked for small family law firms and large international firms: from family law to antitrust. I spent many years supporting Southern Utah's Guardian ad Litem, who represented abused and neglected children in the court system. I also served as the Victim Advocate for Iron County, Utah, USA working out of the Iron County Attorney's Office.

Today we participated in Bell Let’s Talk Day with Caroline Cheng at RCMP “K” Division. We had questions from a live audience both in person and on line. We discussed the importance of mental health and wellness, different journeys to healthy futures and had some fun with a very serious and important topic.

Scott and Dan were looked back on the podcast of the year and the year itself in their lives. Some laughs happened. Looking forward to season 4

A heartfelt and amazing conversation with our Dad Brian Jones. We talked about growing up, Grandma as Dads hero and police careers.

Today we recorded with a live studio audience at the Invisible Wounds Conference in Niagara Ontario. It was a great way to re-introduce ourselves to new listeners and to discuss mental health. We had great discussions and questions from the live audience. There are times the audio has a bit of an echo but well worth a listen.

This was a fascinating discussion on Heart Rate Variability, The Nervous System, Breath Work and much more. For the first time in the history of the Jones Boys Scott said more words!

This episode from Whistler BC guest hosted by Terri Jones where we chat about the experiences of Kim Clark (Grykuliak) and Scott Jones as they recap how they earned a Red Hat at 29029 (Everesting).