NURSE | AUTHOR| ADVOCATE
TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE THROUGH COMPASSION
Featured In
#1 National Best Selling Author. Nurse Podcaster. Healthcare Advocate. Passionate Speaker & Story-teller.
Amie Archibald-Varley is an award-winning Registered Nurse, #1 national bestselling author of “The Wisdom of Nurses”, and highly sought-after Mental Health, Nursing and Health Equity Speaker represented by the National Speakers Bureau. Amie is the CEO of both "Advancing Health Equity, Together," a healthcare consultancy firm that provides stategic leadership on health equity, nursing and workplace wellbeing, and Atypical Films Canada, a production company dedicated to telling unique social stories by pushing creative boundaries. This venture allows her to apply her expertise to amplify critical healthcare narratives and other important social issues on screen, challenging conventional storytelling to drive empathy and change. Her expertise and advocacy span the critical healthcare systems of Canada and the US.
A leading voice in nursing advocacy and retention, Amie Archibald-Varley is passionate about supporting Medicare (public health care)and ensuring healthcare for all. She candidly addresses critical, sensitive topics such as nurses' mental health, burnout, violence and bullying in nursing, and anti-racism in healthcare to eliminate stigma and foster supportive, compassionate workplaces. Amie has advised at high levels, working with The Canadian Insitute of Health Information (CIHI), The Canadian Insitutes of Health Research (CIHR), and Health Canada. Amie Archibald-Varley connected and had podcasts and other conversations with the former Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, showcasing her influence on federal and provincial health matters.
Amie Archibald-Varley is the host of Canada's #1 nursing podcast show, The Gritty Nurse, which fearlessly dives into the raw realities of the profession. The Gritty Nurse Podcast is widely recognized as a top ranking international podcast, delivering courageous discussions and making a significant impact on professional dialogue surrounding healthcare in the country. The podcast is highly praised by nursing students and seasoned healthcare professionals for tackling the "raw realities of healthcare" with integrity. We dive fearlessly into hot-button issues like health equity, anti-racism, mental health, and social justice within the nursing profession. The Gritty Nurse podcast has significant national influence on health policy, including contributing op-eds to major publications and engaging with Canadian political leaders. Gritty Nurse hit #2 in Apple Podcasts in Medicine for Canada.
Amie Archibald-Varley is a seasoned freelance journalist and respected media contributor. She is also a Medical Writer for Hospital News, contributing to pressing topics focusing on nursing, healthcare, and mental health. Amie has shared insights as a radio columnist with Newstalk1010 and contributed impactful op-eds to major publications including The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, and the Toronto Star. Through her platform, Amie is a fierce advocate, driving change in health policy and emphasizing that healthcare is political.
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Photo by Sam Coyle
The Gritty Nurse is BACK!
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The Gritty Nurse is BACK! 〰️
The Gritty Nurse, hosted by award-winning Registered Nurse and advocate Amie Archibald-Varley, is Canada's #1 nursing podcast show and the home for unfiltered conversation about health, healthcare, nursing, and the critical intersection of health politics and policy. Amie fearlessly dive into hot topics, challenging the status quo to build a more efficient, robust, and ethical healthcare system that is safe not only for patients but also for the dedicated professionals who work within it. The show examines the changes needed to improve the healthcare system as a whole, amplifly nursing voice and nursing advocacy, retention, and mental health while driving conversations on health equity and systemic change.
Join Amie Archibald-Varley, THE GRITTY NURSE, as she provides the real talk required for meaningful, lasting healthcare reform.
#1 National Best Selling Book/Authors
From the hosts of the hit podcast The Gritty Nurse, Amie Archibald-Varley and Sara Fung bring you the stories of the challenges, heartbreak and humour of life on the front lines.
One of the enduring lessons of the pandemic has been the pivotal role that nursing plays in health care—vital work that isn’t widely understood or, sadly, appreciated. Sara Fung and Amie Archibald-Varley started the wildly popular The Gritty Nurse podcast to give voice to nurses all over the world, including more than 400,000 nurses in Canada.
The authors have quickly become sought-after speakers and advocates for nurses and are called on regularly by the media to talk about a wide range of issues around the profession. In their first book, they take you to the front line of nursing to show the compassion, selflessness and dedication of professionals who not only give it all for their patients, but get up and do it over and over again.
Brand Partnership
Corporate, Industry and Tech Conferences
Employee education
Keynote presentations
Media panels
Panel discussions
Podcasting
University/College/High School Engagements
Webinars
Workshops
*All presentations can be customized and interactive, where applicable
AMIE IS AVAILABLE FOR:
HIRE AMIE TO DELIVER A KEYNOTE SPEECH, WORKSHOP, LECTURE, FACILITATE AN INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY, OR HOST A LIVE INTERACTIVE PODCAST SESSION WITH YOUR ORGANIZATION.
Why do top media outlets and international organizations turn to Amie? Because in a world saturated with content, she delivers a message that sticks. As a #1 National Bestselling Author, hit podcaster, and a trusted voice with over 150 media features, Amie has captivated audiences across the country. Now, she's ready to connect with yours.
An expert storyteller and change management specialist, Amie translates her national platform into practical, transformative experiences for your organization. She moves beyond presentations to create conversations, tackling the real-world issues your employees face—from managing stress and uncertainty to fostering better communication and well-being. Bring in a speaker who doesn’t just talk, but inspires action. Amie leaves every audience feeling seen, heard, and empowered to thrive in our ever-changing world.
She connects with every level of your team, providing them with the tools to:
Enhance productivity by improving focus and mental clarity.
Strengthen team cohesion through powerful, authentic communication.
Embrace innovation by turning uncertainty into an opportunity for growth.
Signature Topics
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Health Equity
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The Wisdom of Nurses
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Manging Change & Uncertainty
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Using Arts As a Means To Heal
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Storytelling and Productivity
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Building & Leading Compassionate Teams
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Advocacy: The "DEFIANT" Model
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Mental Health, Wellness & Social Media
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Women's Health & Wellness
Amie In Action:
National Conversations On The Workplace, Politics & Health
Women’s mental health in the workplace faces numerous challenges, often stemming from unique stressors and societal expectations. According to Deloitte’s 2024 global workplace study, 50% of women reported increased stress levels compared to the previous year, and 23% indicated they were experiencing burnout. Many women juggle multiple roles, balancing demanding work responsibilities with family care duties, including caregiving for children and elderly relatives. Systemic professional limitations and biases, such as the glass ceiling and gender pay gap, further strain their mental health.
On March 6th, The Globe and Mail hosted an insightful and engaging conversation on how employers can more effectively support women’s mental health. This event featured a panel of experts who shared their experiences and expertise on a range of critical topics, including burnout, menopause, the sandwich generation, and resource groups. They also provided practical strategies and actionable insights to foster healthier dialogue and create a more inclusive work environment. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of the challenges women face in the workplace and learned how to implement changes that promote mental well-being.
Canadian Race Relations Foundation and Inspirit Foundation Present The Walrus Talks at Home: Polarization took place on December 4, 2024. Seeking solutions for the increasing political, social, and cultural divide. Polarization is on the rise in Western democracies and Canada is not immune. Politicians and public figures are intensifying their rhetoric and wedge issues are becoming the norm in political, social, and cultural conversations. The impact? An erosion of trust in our democracy and institutions. At The Walrus Talks at Home: Polarization, four experts will dive into how social media amplifies “rage-bait” and dis/misinformation. We’ll also look at how the COVID-19 pandemic widened political divisions about health and science policies. In the closing days of a year that saw more than half the world's population go to the polls, and in the lead up to an expected federal election, don't miss this urgent discussion about what divides us and how Canadians can find common ground.
Amie Archibald-Varley & Sara Fung talked about the realities of nursing in 2024 and about their new book, The Wisdom of Nurses.
The Globe and Mail Series 2023: What should the role of private providers be in healthcare? The event started with an introduction by André Picard, health reporter and columnist with The Globe and Mail. To provide context on the issue, Carly Weeks, health reporter with The Globe and Mail interviewed Darrell Bricker, global CEO with Ipsos Public Affairs. The conversation covered Canadians’ perceptions and attitudes toward current health care systems and the prospect of more private involvement. In collaboration with the Canadian Medical Association and The Globe and Mail, a panel of healthcare providers shared their perspectives on working in a strained system. They discussed ideas and approaches to increase access to care and address burnout among physicians, nurses and other care providers. Panel discussion with Amie Archibald-Varley starts at the 37:55 min mark.
ELEVATE Festival 2023: Healing the Future: How Hospitals and Startups Can Unite for Innovation
This discussion delves into the realm of emerging deep-tech innovations in healthcare, showcasing startups driving transformative change. While startups pioneer groundbreaking solutions, their effective integration into hospitals remains a challenge. We explore strategies for startups to collaborate with hospitals, ensuring safe and impactful technology adoption. Furthermore, we examine how hospitals can foster innovation by engaging with startups. This discussion offers key insights into the dynamic relationship between startups and healthcare institutions, inspiring a future of advanced, patient-centred healthcare. Amie Archibald-Varley brings her lens of Health Equity to the conversation as a Speaker and Moderator, joined by her esteemed colleagues, Amr Abdelgawad the Chief Operating Officer and one of the co-founder of FluidAI’s and Dr. Steven Scherer, Chief of Research and Northbridge Chair in Paediatric Research at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).
We dive into the nursing crisis with registered nurse and health equity advocate Amie Archibald-Varley, who explains what it’s like working in such understaffed conditions. The rest of our important discussion – including what urgent action is needed, why so many nurses have left or intend to leave their jobs, and so much more. ~CTV’s The Social
Selected Media
Selected Press
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Globe and Mail (Oct 2024)
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Canada Anti-Hate Network (May 2, 2022)
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ByBlacks (Feb 10, 2022)
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Toronto Star (Nov 28, 2021)
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CBC Arts (April 2025)
Today on Commotion, Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng and nurse Amie Archibald-Varley join host Elamin Abdelmahmoud to unpack what the latest slate of TV shows about hospitals gets right and wrong about this moment in healthcare.
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New List ItemUnpacking the wisdom of the Gritty Nurse
Their new book, The Wisdom of Nursing: Stories of Grit from the Front Lines, sheds light on the importance of nurses in the health-care system and the challenges they face on a daily basis.
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New CBC White Coat, Black Art (Mar 27, 2021)
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Chatelaine Magazine
Selected Radio Interviews
CBC Ontario Morning
The Power of Social Media
White Coat/Black Art
You have patients say the N-word': Black nurses call for support against racism on the medical frontlines
CP24
Picking up the pieces after a year of stress
The Current
Nurses discuss pandemic’s impact on mental health.
Compassion is Key
Have you noticed that everyone is more tense? More stressed? Seemingly more on edge? That’s because people are. How do we get back to taking the time to listen to one another, respect and value others’ opinions and show compassion towards one another? If you are looking to change your workplace culture, have courageous conversations related to equity, mental health and advocacy or healthcare, Amie Archibald-Varley can help transform your teams, open their minds and maybe more importantly—open their hearts.


