Real Talk – Read
This is where raw honesty meets thoughtful, unfiltered writing.
Curated by Michelle Budiwski, this space brings together articles, personal stories, reflections, and commentary on the topics that matter—health, politics, relationships, mental health, and the realities of everyday life.
Every piece is grounded in lived experience. No fluff. No pretending. Just honest perspectives, hard conversations, and the lessons that come with them. Whether it’s a personal journey, a deep dive into an issue, or a candid reflection, the goal is simple: to inform, challenge, and connect.
If you’re looking for real insight—not curated perfection—you’re in the right place.
Stay, read, and be part of the conversation.

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Blogs | Family | Health | Mental health | News | Politics | Read | Relationships | Women
I have a stalker
I Have a Stalker I have a stalker. An online stalker. It started last September. Right after the murder of Charlie Kirk. Like millions of others, my Facebook page discussed it. And like I always do when violence occurs, I was very clear: there is never an excuse for murder. I condemned the killing without…
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Blogs | Education and Training | Entertainment | Family | Gaming | Read | Students
My Love of Hollow Knight By Ivan Budiwski
My Love of Hollow Knight By Ivan Budiwski I bought Hollow Knight about two years ago and when I did, I found the game very enjoyable but struggled a lot with it. This was the first time I have ever played a game like it, so I didn’t know what to expect. I beat…
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Uncle DON wants you! (To spread his propaganda)
It doesn’t surprise me at all to suddenly see social media flooded with propaganda accusing Canada and Denmark of crimes against the U.S. It doesn’t surprise me, nor should it surprise anyone who has studied history beyond the 9th grade. It’s what fascists do. It’s literally #Fascism101, right out of Adolf’s playbook—although he didn’t have…
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Brandon | Leadership | Mental health | News | Politics | Watch
REAL TALK – Episode 25-12 Community Policing & Fear-Based Politics with Dr. Chris Schneider
REAL TALK – Episode 25-12 Community Policing & Fear-Based Politics with Dr. Chris Schneider I was genuinely honoured to sit down with Dr. Chris Schneider of Brandon University — a leading sociologist, acclaimed author, and expert on policing and public perception. His depth of knowledge and decades of research have shaped how we understand community…
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Health | Mental health | News | Politics | Watch
Manitoba’s Bill 48 – Real Talk Episode 25-11
REAL TALK Episode 25-11 | October 19, 2025 Twenty-five years ago today, I woke up in a hospital after a suicide attempt and began detoxing from the narcotics and opioids that were killing me. I’ve been drug-free ever since. That hospital stay saved my life — because they had the capacity, staff, and time to…
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Leadership | News | Politics | Religion | Watch
Enough is Enough – Real Talk Episode 25-10
Political violence. Open bigotry. Racism. Hate. Lies from leaders. Silence from those elected to protect us. People in our own communities living in fear. It’s tempting to turn away—to bury our heads, to hope it’ll pass. But silence has never stopped hate. It didn’t work in history, and it won’t work now. The truth is:…
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