
Welcome to Let’s Talk Local, where hosts Khadeeja and Umaymah discuss local issues in our communities, specifically those around Laurier’s Brantford and Waterloo campuses. They’ll be tackling crises on a municipal scale, such as Islamophobia, police brutality, substance abuse, homelessness, and more while featuring a guest in each episode. Their goal is to help raise awareness on local issues around us, create a platform to amplify community members’ voices, and ultimately provide a learning experience for other students at Laurier.
Tune in bi-weekly to listen live to Let’s Talk Local on Mondays at 5pm

Let's Talk Local - Ep. 7
Mar 24, 2021 • 00:30:00
In this episode, Umaymah and Khadeeja lead an opinion-based conversation on toxic masculinity in our communities. They address their opinions, thoughts, and observations on this issue, exploring topics such as the effect of toxic masculinity in the media and literature. They dig deeper into this social issue with research and…
Let's Talk Local - Ep. 6
Mar 10, 2021 • 00:52:23
In the second part of their discussion on homelessness, Umaymah and Khadeeja first continue the conversation by touching on the criminalization and dehumanization of those experiencing homelessness. Then, they introduce this episode’s featured guest, Tim Philp, the Executive Director of the Rosewood House in Brantford. The show hosts ask Tim…
Let's Talk Local - Ep. 5
Feb 24, 2021 • 00:42:09
In their first episode of this term, Khadeeja and Umaymah explore long-term care homes in our local communities. The show hosts first discuss their personal experiences in long-term care homes and their own observations of the environment. Then, they examine Canada’s relationship with long-term care facilities, especially after the COVID-19…
Let's Talk Local - Ep. 4
Dec 7, 2020 • 00:42:09
In their last episode of the fall semester, Umaymah and Khadeeja discuss homelessness in our local communities. They start by talking about the prevalence of homelessness in our society, despite capitalist beliefs. They explore homelessness problems across Canada, like in Moncton, New Brunswick and Montreal, Quebec. They also examine homelessness…
Let's Talk Local - Police Brutality Pt. 2
Nov 23, 2020 • 00:16:36
In the second part of their discussion on police brutality, Khadeeja and Umaymah review the importance of police officers to be open-minded and confident to debate police brutality. They go over the history of the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) and their initial goals that contribute to the systemic racism…
Let's Talk Local Ep 2: Police Brutality
Nov 9, 2020 • 00:29:57
In this episode, Khadeeja and Umaymah discuss police brutality in Canada, our local communities, and our neighbourhoods. We start by establishing their different opinions and views on law enforcement, police reform, and defunding the police. The hosts give a trigger warning for racism, police brutality, and graphic content before proceeding…
Let's Talk Local - Ep. 1
Oct 27, 2020 • 00:59:11
In their very first episode, Khadeeja and Umaymah discuss Islamophobia in our local communities. First, they touch on Québec’s recent Bill 21, “The Act of Respecting the Laicity of the State”, and how Islamophobia affects their personal lives. Then, they review an Islamophobic incident that occurred last year on Laurier’s…