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Episode 7
Socks, Science, and Social Fuel: Navigating Psychology
Subscribe to Always Blue with Tim Rahilly: An MRU Alumni Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube Podcasts.
Meet our Guest: Dan Devoe
About Dan
Dr. Dan Devoe is a psychology researcher and educator at Mount Royal University whose work focuses on youth mental health, particularly the early identification and treatment of mental health disorders. He holds a BA (High Honours) from the University of Regina and completed his MSc, PhD and postdoctoral training at the University of Calgary. Devoe has authored numerous publications on mental health and is a co-investigator on several national research initiatives, including the Canadian Youth Mental Health Insight Platform and projects examining eating disorders among Canadian youth. In 2009, he also wrote the children's picture book The Whale Who Ate Everything.
Meet our co-host: Meg Wilcox
About Meg
Meg Wilcox is an associate professor in the Journalism and Digital Media program at Mount Royal University and co-director of the university's Community Podcast Initiative. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Communication and a Master of Journalism from Carleton University, along with a PhD in Media and Cultural Policy from the University of Glasgow. Before joining MRU, Wilcox worked as a producer, reporter and radio host at CBC stations across Canada, later serving as a host and producer at CKUA Radio Network. She also hosted the first season of Everyday Bravery and was a founding member of Banff Centre Radio. In 2020, she was named one of Avenue Calgary's Top 40 Under 40 for her contributions to media education.
Meet our Host: President Tim Rahilly
About Tim
Tim Rahilly is the President & Vice-Chancellor of Mount Royal University (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) and is a Professor of Psychology. He has worked in higher education for over 25 years, but trained initially as a psychologist and received his Ph.D. from McGill. Dr. Rahilly has served in academic and administrative roles at Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia, McGill University, and has served on several boards. He is an award-winning teacher and leader and received the Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022 and was named one of 20 Compelling Calgarians by the Calgary Herald in 2020. Dr. Rahilly is enthusiastic, open and inquisitive — traits he brings to his work for Mount Royal and its students.
- The "Costco Sample" Teaching Method: Dr. Devoe uses a unique analogy to teach complex psychology and research methods, offering students small, digestible "samples" or stories to hook their interest before asking them to consume a massive "box" of complex scientific data.
- Redefining Mental Health Recovery: Moving beyond standard textbook definitions that treat mental illness or addiction as a permanent badge, Dr. Devoe discusses an optimistic philosophy centered on the possibility of a complete "cure" and reclaiming individual agency.
- The Concept of "Social Fuel": To combat the modern paradox of being hyper-connected yet deeply isolated, Dr. Devoe introduces the idea of social fuel, emphasizing that consistent, face-to-face interactions are necessary to recharge our "social economy".
- Thought Economy: Introducing the phrase "a penny for your thoughts," the conversation highlights how people often mismanage their cognitive energy by spending a whole day's worth of thinking cycles on an overanalyzed interaction or a single workplace problem.
- The Importance of Grit and Tension: Both the hosts and guest agree that a university education shouldn't be entirely seamless. Drawing parallels to journalistic tension and cognitive disequilibrium, they emphasize that a little "grit" and being challenged (but supported) is essential for authentic learning and personal growth.
- Psychology in Children’s Books: Dr. Devoe channels his East Coast storytelling roots into writing and illustrating children's books. His upcoming project features a lonely sock searching for its match, using a whimsical story to teach young children lessons on companionship, resilience, and accepting that relationships don't have to be a "perfect match" to be fulfilling.
Listen to Always Blue with Tim Rahilly: An MRU Alumni Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube Podcasts.
The views expressed by the host and speakers reflect their personal experiences and perspectives, and are not representative of Mount Royal University or the Office of Alumni Relations.
Have questions about Always Blue? Contact alumni@mtroyal.ca