Complicated conversations that will make you a better person: Recent Episodes
Veronica Simmonds
I think the majority of problems that occur between people usually stem from a breakdown in communication. And I get it. Hard talks are HARD, the truth can really hurt and learning can be a painful process. Thankfully we have podcasts to show us how to do it right. The episodes on this list are a crash course in the power of being vulnerable, asking the hard question, listening to a difficult answer and sitting in complexity. If you listen to these conversations I guarantee you will become a better person.
Veronica Simmonds a radio producer and audio artist based in Toronto. When she’s not producing CBC Sleepover, she is thinking about time and reminding herself to go for a swim.
Anna Sale is a master of asking real questions and in this episode hearing Ellen Burstyn tell the story of her life is deeply touching. The woman oozes life advice so listen and learn!
Sleepover is an unusual social encounter, where three complete strangers meet for 24 hours to help with each other’s problems. In this episode Judy Kennedy shares her struggle to find romance. A universal dilemma made more difficult by the limitations of being in a wheelchair and living in long term care facility. Though it is a difficult issue, Politician Jagmeet Singh, math prodigy Tai Poole and host Sook-Yin Lee take the time to talk it out with Judy.
This one is heavy. Sam Broun unpacks the personal implications of a violent crime inflicted upon her mother. But she does it with a generosity that will bring you to your knees.
Before I heard Love Hurts I don’t think I knew what vulnerability really sounded like on the radio but Lea Thau asking an ex boyfriend why they didn’t love her set a new bar. Listen to the whole series!
In Canada we rarely have frank public conversations about race but Hannah and Denise are changing all of that.