In Conversation with Radio Laurier

Fighting Food Insecurity: In Conversation with FoodShare - Ep. 10

Aug 10, 2020 • 00:34:05

When we think of the Canadian landscape, we often think of abundance. A land that is vast and home to many natural resources, full of space that according to the 2016 Census of Agriculture, hosts 193, 492 farms. Although our farm space is abundant, well over four million people in Canada are currently experiencing food insecurity. This week on our podcast, we talked to Victoria Foote, Director of Development and Communications at FoodShare Toronto. FoodShare is a food justice organization that has been around for over 35 years. FoodShare strives for food justice by collaborating with and listening to those most affected by poverty and food insecurity - Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, and People with Disabilities, to inspire long-term solutions to an equitable and nutritious food system for everyone.

To learn more about FoodShare, visit https://foodshare.net

Full Music Credit: 

Loopster by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4991-loopster

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In Conversation with Ann Marie Beals - Ep. 9

Aug 2, 2020 • 00:23:21

This week on our podcast, we talked to PhD student Ann Marie Beals. Ann Marie is a Two-Spirit Indigenous-Black L’nuwey, a mixed-blood African Nova Scotian and First Nation Mi’kmaq who hails from Mi’kma’ki territory of the Wabanaki Confederacy. Ann Marie is under the mentorship of Dr. Ciann L. Wilson and all their relations and ancestors. Ann Marie is a storyteller working on the ProclaimingOurRoots.com (POR) project. As well, they examine Indigenous and Black representation in high school curricula, within a critical decoloniality lens. Stories from the POR project revolve around Indigenous-Black identity and relationships with Indigenous and Black communities, and Truth and Reconciliation. We talked to Ann Marie about the importance of elevating Indigenous-Black voices, and how systems of white supremacy perpetuate the oppression of these voices.

To learn more about Ann Marie's research and the POR project, visit https://www.proclaimingourroots.com

Full Music Credit:

Loopster by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4991-loopster

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The Power of Community: Students Making A Difference - Ep. 8

Jul 27, 2020 • 00:28:12

Back in March, the coronavirus pandemic left many Canadian students with an abrupt end to their school years, some being forced to move out of residence on short notice, and others not getting to celebrate their proms, and high-school or university graduations. It all seems grim, but many students, including the ones we interviewed this week, are rising to the occasion. On this week’s episode of our podcast, we have two stories of students working on excellent projects for their community throughout the pandemic. Cole Starkman, a first year BBA student at Laurier, has started his own business, called PPE On Demand, supplying the community with affordable PPE gear. Over at St. Mary's Catholic Church, students have been building Tiny Homes for people experiencing homelessness. We sat down with Jie-Soo and Laura Beth, two of the students who have been working on this project, and talked to them about the importance of community work, and standing in solidarity with those in need during difficult times.

To learn more about PPE On Demand, visit https://www.ppeondemand.ca

To learn more about the Tiny Homes project, visit https://youtu.be/iTy4qrx5Bys

Full Music Credit:

Loopster by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4991-loopster

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The Racial Politics of Mask Wearing: A Conversation with Dr. Jasmin Zine - Ep. 7

Jul 13, 2020 • 00:21:51

“The article I’ve written is to contrast the way in which masks are worn by racialized bodies versus the privilege that goes along with mask wearing if you are white where you don’t need to think about that, you don’t need to think about how people are going to perceive me if I’m wearing a mask” (10:10)

Across Canada, many major cities have declared that mask wearing is mandatory in indoor public spaces as an attempt to slow the spread of Covid19. Toronto and Peel launched this bylaw on July 7th, and the region of Kitchener/Waterloo is set to role this out on July 13th. Although an important stride made in regards to public health, what does this mean for racialized groups who face prejudice and societal discrimination because they are following mask protocol? Dr. Jasmin Zine, a professor of Sociology and Muslim Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, is looking into just this. We sat down and talked to her about the racial politics of mask wearing, and how racialized citizens are affected by this.

Full Music Credit:

Loopster by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4991-loopster

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Black Women in Motion: A Conversation with Founder Monica Samuel - Ep. 6

Jul 6, 2020 • 00:35:24

“When people are throwing money at Black Women in Motions way, I am always having a conversation about what they are doing long term. Long term to make sure that there is representation in your organization, that you are not perpetuating violence, and discrimination in your practices” (26:10)

Monica Samuel is the Executive Director and Founder of Black Women in Motion, a Toronto based community and youth led organization that empowers and supports the advancement of Black Womxn and survivors of sexual violence. We sat down and talked to Monica about the important work her and her team do to uplift and heal the communities they work in, and educate those outside of these communities.

To learn more about the important work that Monica and her team do, visit blackwomeninmotion.org

Full Music Credit:

Loopster by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4991-loopster

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Anti BIPOC Racism on Canadian Campuses: Students Share Their Stories- Ep. 5

Jun 29, 2020 • 00:52:59

“Understanding doesn’t mean you’re educated…. And we need to take steps every single day to be more educated” (28:00)

On this weeks episode, we sat down with three recent graduates at two Canadian Universities, The University of Ottawa and Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo. These students shared their experiences with anti-BIPOC racism on campuses and within student culture, and discussed what next steps they believe need to be taken in order to create an inclusive and equal environment for students of all backgrounds at Canadian universities.

Being Raced Study: https://www.universityaffairs.ca/news/news-article/undergraduate-researcher-team-releases-report-on-racism-at-laurier/

Full Music Credit:

Loopster by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4991-loopster

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Celebrating Pride Month - Werqing the World with Kyne - Ep. 4

Jun 22, 2020 • 00:19:22

"I don't want to leave the next generation behind, I want them to have the same freedoms and opportunities that I did, and even more" (17:15).

It’s been a long time coming, but Drag Race super fans can finally anticipate the day that the show comes to Canada. Mark the date because Canada’s Drag Race premiers on July 2nd on Crave TV! The other day, we got to sit down and chat with one of the contestants on this season, Kyne. Kyne is a queen who hails from Kitchener, she’s also a math genius and studies at the University of Waterloo. Starting her career off through her Youtube channel @onlinekyne, this queens following has grown to over 110K, and she’s hear to show the world how she werqs.

Full Music Credit:

Werq by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Celebrating Pride Month: Marc Hall Tells His Story - Ep. 3

Jun 15, 2020 • 00:46:19

“On one of my bad days, I got an anonymous phone call from a 13 year old boy saying that he wasn’t out to anyone yet... that he was feeling scared and alone, and that the one thing that was giving him strength was following my news story… It was at that point that I realized I was fighting for a community and not just myself” (25:00). 

In 2002, his world was taken by a media storm when he wanted to bring his boyfriend to prom and the Durham Catholic School Board said no. Last week, we sat down with Marc Hall, who told us his story about becoming an LGBTQ+ activist at the young age of 17. Nearly two decades later, Marc has a musical and made for TV film based on his story and journey as a young man.

Full Music Credit:

Werq by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Exploring the Complexities of Misinformation and Conspiracy Theories with Dr. Penelope Ironstone - Ep. 2

Jun 9, 2020 • 00:57:44

“When you see a conspiracy theory out there, you should ask, what is it that this conspiracy desires? It desires control, it desires certainty, it desires knowledge about the world, and mostly, it desires the idea of having control over what it is that is happening” (24:00) 

 Misinformation, conspiracy theories, and anxiety culture- these are all concepts that we seem to be hearing more about these days. The constant information that has been disseminated throughout the Covid-19 pandemic has been difficult for many citizens to unpack and understand. On this episode of our podcast, we are joined by Dr. Penelope Ironstone, an Associate Professor in Communication Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, who’s research specializes in pandemics. Listen in to hear Dr. Ironstone help us understand the complexities and meaning behind many of the contemporary conspiracy theories, a brief history of previous pandemics, and the critical insights she has taken away from this global crisis.

Full music credit:

Dub Eastern by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3682-dub-eastern
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/