The Conversation Lab: Recent Episodes
Vancouver Co-op Radio
The Conversation Lab is a weekly radio program that airs on CFRO FM in Vancouver and available on all podcasting platforms. Its focus is on giving community groups, non-profit organizations, and changemakers a voice to talk about those things that are most important to them. Learning how to build bridges into different communities seems critical as we explore the uneven development of colonialism and global capitalism in our community.
These conversations are organized by Don Shafer who is a veteran broadcaster and Ph.D. Student, at UBC's Social Justice Institute. He is studying the science, psychology, cultural, and emotional components of conversation and what they have in common to gain insight and improve on existing knowledge of how we engage with each other whether about climate, race, gender, culture, politics, or social justice issues to contribute to positive social change.
CFRO FM (Co-op Radio) is located in Vancouver's downtown eastside on the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-waututh) Nations where we are grateful to be able to do this work.
Two years ago, I underwent open-heart surgery at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. What stayed with me, beyond the procedure itself, was the extraordinary level of care I received—from the cardiac team, nurses, and support staff. It felt deeply human, attentive, and intentional.
When I later circled back to thank them, many of those I spoke with credited their approach to the teachings of Jean Watson. I was curious who was this person shaping how care is felt in a clinical setting?
Jean Watson is a nurse, scholar, and founder of the Watson Caring Science Institute. Her work has transformed how we think about healing—not just as a physical process, but as something deeply relational and grounded in compassion. So, I reached out to her. I wanted to understand more about what it means to truly care, and what lessons her work might offer not just to those in healthcare, but to all of us—especially in these divided and uncertain times.
In this episode of Sticks & Stones, Roots & Bones, we sit down with Liz Stewart, a Defend Our Homes organizer with Neighbours United in British Columbia. Liz shares how deep canvassing, a powerful tool rooted in empathy and storytelling, is helping bridge divides in forestry towns where proposed biodiversity legislation is sparking debate.
With curiosity and care, Liz opens up about what it means to meet people where they’re, the emotional weight of conversations across difference, and the quiet power of asking why. From growing up in resource-rich Manitoba to confronting her own assumptions, Liz’s journey reveals how vulnerability and respect can shift hearts and minds, one door and one conversation at a time. This isn’t just a conversation about forests. It’s a conversation about how we talk to each other and what’s possible when we truly listen.
Andy Hoffman is a distinguished professor at the University of Michigan, holding joint appointments at the Ross School of Business and the School for Environment and Sustainability. His work bridges two often disparate worlds—business and environmental stewardship—challenging the status quo by advocating for a new kind of capitalism, one rooted in moral purpose and long-term societal impact.
His latest book, Business School and the Noble Purpose of the Market, offers a provocative vision for how business education must evolve in response to the existential challenges of our time. In this conversation, we explore not only the key themes of his new book but also his thoughts on capitalism, corporate responsibility, the intersection of business and policy, and how future business leaders can navigate a world increasingly shaped by social and environmental crises.
I hope you can join us.
Ian Williams is a poet, novelist, and essayist whose work explores themes of race, identity, and social complexity. Born in Trinidad and raised in Canada, Williams has developed a distinctive voice that combines lyrical sensitivity with sharp cultural insight. His debut novel, Reproduction, won the 2019 Giller Prize and was celebrated for its inventive structure and moving exploration of familial bonds across race and class.
I was particularly looking forward to our discussion to talk about his work, his latest book and about his PhD research which focused on the nuanced dimensions of tone and voice in print, examining how people’s identities and intentions are subtly encoded in their written words, particularly through everyday typing and texting. As you might imagine we talked about the transformative power of open, authentic conversations in fostering trust and understanding amid societal polarization. I hope you can join us.
barbara findlay is an old white cisgender queer lawyer with disabilities who was raised working-class and christian on the prairies. In this episode, we explore barbara's extensive career and contributions to social justice, her involvement in fighting against oppression, and her continuous advocacy work. The conversation touches on significant topics such as the challenges of navigating difficult conversations, the current wave of transphobia, and the profound impact of language on perception and interaction. barbara shares her experiences and strategies in dealing with these issues, offering valuable insights into the complexities of social justice advocacy.
Corey Nathan is the Executive Producer and Host of the Talkin Politics & Religion Without Killing Each Other podcast. In this podcast, we discuss the importance of words and conversations in various aspects of life.
Corey Nathan shares his background as a stockbroker and theatre conservatory student, as well as his experiences as an entrepreneur and podcast producer. We emphasize the need to build bridges and have meaningful conversations with people who have different beliefs and perspectives. The conversation delves into the topics of cancel culture and identity politics, with Corey Nathan highlighting the problem of forming judgments based on limited information. They discuss the academic and sociological work being done to understand these phenomena and encourage a more intelligent and inclusive approach.
Note: Corey quotes his grandfather and mentions horses behind.
Bowen Island is a small island and municipality at the entrance to Howe Sound. It's connected to Vancouver and the rest of the Lower Mainland in British Columbia by a short ferry ride. Bowen Island residents are passionate about many things and its one of the many reasons I enjoy living here.
Just over a year ago, we elected a new municipal council and in this podcast our Mayor (Andrew Leonard) talks about the challenges and opportunities on Bowen Island. Relevant because where most big cities are overwhelming, small municipalities like ours bring all of our community together to practice our version of participatory democracy.
Our conversation covers a range of topics including the challenges living on a rural island in the shadow of Metro Vancouver, housing infrastructure, and grant funding. We also discuss Bowen Island's short-term rental policy and the possibility of establishing a tourism tax. The conversation highlights the need for public engagement and encourages residents to participate in the budget process and the development of a new official community plan. I think you'll enjoy how Andrew upacks how our community comes together in different ways.
Nick Enfield is Professor of Linguistics a the University of Sydney and a co-director of the Sydney Centre for Language Research. His recent books include Languave versus Reality, Concequences of Language, and How We Talk. In this podcast Nick discusses the importance of language and its impact on conversations. He emphasizes the need to understand language in its broader context, including its cultural and societal implications. He challenges the idea that language is simply a tool for describing reality, arguing that it is a choice individuals make to frame their experiences and perspectives. Enfield also highlights the role of language in shaping our understanding of the world and the importance of recognizing linguistic diversity.
Held is a partnership of facilitators, culture creators, and practitioners building a world liberated from oppressive systems, dynamics, and relationships. In this episode, one of their founders, Vanessa Faloye explains how with the help of co-founders, Alex and Pria, how they hold people, organizations and movements to build relational skills and cultural practices rooted in collective liberation. Our conversation highlights the need for improved communication and understanding about important social issues. It emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, challenging oppressive systems, and creating spaces for dialogue and growth. The work of the Held Collective aims to foster collective liberation and create a world where everyone can experience freedom, safety, and dignity
Naomi Oreskes is a Professor of the History of Science and the author or co-author of 9 books, 150 articles, essays and opinion pieces. In this episode we talk about the latest book that she worked on with Eric Conway, The Big Myth: How American Business Taught Us to Loathe Government and Love the Free Market. If you want to know why we are so polarized and have so many differeing beliefs you shouldn't miss this episode and I think you'll love the book.
In this episode of Sticks & Stones, Roots & Bones, Jason talks about the interconnectedness of environmental history, capitalism, and social theory and how it impacts our current social dynamic. He highlights the urgency of the planetary crisis, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and inequality. Moore emphasizes the need to understand history to address this present moment effectively. We talk about the impact of ideologies on various global issues, such as gender, race, religion, and culture. Jason explains that capitalist ideologies instrumentalize the world and perpetuate a binary mode of thought. Our conversation touches on the role of technology, capitalism, and power in shaping the current state of the world.
Tzeporah Berman, an environmental activist and campaigner, talks about her work at Stand.earth and her role in campaigns to stop fracking, protect forests, and clean up the fashion industry. She emphasizes the need to replace fossil fuels and prevent their overproduction, as they contribute to climate change. Berman reflects on her journey as an activist and the challenges of finding common ground with different stakeholders.
Our conversation explores the importance of understanding different perspectives and managing emotions during challenging dialogues. Tzeporah shares her approach of finding common ground and understanding the lived experiences of others. Our discussion also addresses issues of inclusivity, systemic biases, and the need for individuals to actively engage in unlearning and understanding complex issues to drive positive social change.
Bob Joseph has spent more than twenty years training corporations and government organizations to work effectively and respectfully with Indigenous communities through his business, Indigenous Corporate Training. He has been an associate professor at Royal Roads University and a guest lecturer at other academic institutions. He is the author of Canadian best seller, 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act and Indigenous Relations: Insights, Tims & Suggestions. In this episode we talk about the pathway to Reconciliation and Bob provides his own personal insight of how to navigate difficult conversation
In this episode, we are joined by Teun van Dijk. Teun is a Dutch linguist who studies language structure, development, and use. He has made significant contributions to discourse analysis, and he is an expert at how language both reflects and constructs the social world. We talk about his earlier work as well as how discourse can be used to manipulate public opinion and reinforce power relationships.
Teun was a professor of discourse studies at the University of Amsterdam and now teaches at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona. He is the Founding Director of the Centre of Discourse Studies.
In this episode we catch up with Jessie Sutherland. Jessie developed Intercultural Strategies and the Belonging Matters framework to provide the knowledge, processes and tools that can bridge the gap between people with lived experience and system influencers in order to create lasting and sustainable personal and community change. We talked about many things but I'm still thinking about naming the system that we've been born into and the habits we have developed and the inviation to change them.
If there was ever a time we needed some radical democracy its now!
In this episode of The Conversation Lab, Stuart Poyntz and Joanna Ashworth talk about the CERi-Participedia Summer School and how they have brought together leading experts, researchers, graduate students, community leaders, activists and change makers to talk about what it means to radically re-imagine, research and practice democracy in our communities and in every day life.
Barry Rooke is the Executive Director of the National Campus and Community Radio Association. He works with 126 radio stations across Canada. In this episode of The Conversation Lab we talk about the differences between campus, community, and commercial radio statiions, the regulatory and financial landscape, changing technologies (including AI), the impact of consolidation in the private sector and why campus and community radio stations - wheather over the air or onlne, are more important than ever.
Jeff Fitzpatrick describes the opportunities and the challenges that a new park presents for visitors from mainland communities to Bowen Island. As a long time resident of Bowen David Hocking helps us understand more about the history of nature and conservation in the small village and community of Bowen Island; the threats from logging and development, and the several failed attempts that have carved the path along the way to the Cape Roger Curtis Park that Metro hopes to develop on the island.
This is a conversation from the Victoria Forum. A colaboration between the Senate of Canada and the University of Victoria. I was aksed to moderate this plenary session, "Bridging Environmental Divides: Shifting our relationship with the natural world from extractive to regenerative." This conversation analyzes our quest to shift our relationship with the natural world from extractive to regenerative by bridging environmental divides and exploring the many conversational ecosystems that come along with them. Our panel consists of Balgis Osman Elisha, Senator Rosa Galvez, Wendy Smith, and Kresse Wesling.
You can watch all of the sessions from this 3 day event at thevictoriaforum.ca
Heartfelt thanks to Saul Klein, Natalie Slawinski and the organizers for permission to bring this to our campus and community radio stations.
Dr. Tero Mustonen, is a passionate defender of a traditional worldview and cosmology of his people, as a Finn and head of the village of Selkie in North Karelia, Finland. This is an earlier conversation about the Snow-change cooperative in an interesting backdrop of our current landscape.
Jeff Fitzpatrick talks about the importance of regional parks and how they support healthy communities. He also discusses the many complex issues of developing one with a focus on Metro's latest at Cape Roger Curtis on Bowen Island.
Wendy talks about the book she co wrote with Marianne Lewis and how the first step into paradox is changing the question.
Bowen Island is one of the many (21) municipalities that make up Metro Vancouver. A short bus and ferry ride away former mayor Bob Turner talks about the municipal election, the Howe Sound Biosphere and more importantly how local communities provide hope.
This is an interview with Ann Mortifee shortly after the introduction her 6th musical,The Mysteries. After many years its a wonderful catch-up about her work and life and what inspires her.
A fun conversation with the author about broadcasting, the Olympics, business and bees.
Sara Harris is a Canadian scientist, and professor in the department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, and the associate dean academic in the Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia. We talk about our climate and how we educate as well as discuss it.
Jen Lyle is the CEO of the Alzheimer's Society of B.C. We talk about dementia, why its more than a health care issue, and how each of us can help the 76,000 Canadians that are diagnosed with it annually.
Tom Lavin is a Chicago-born musician, record producer and founding member of The Powder Blues Band. As they get ready to play a fund raiser for Co-op Radio May 15th, Tom talks about life on the road, his family, books, business and love of music! This episode is with music!
Tom Lavin is a Chicago-born musician, record producer and founding member of The Powder Blues Band. As they get ready to play a fund raiser for Co-op Radio May 15th, Tom talks about life on the road, his family, books, business and love of music!
David Ng is a PhD student at The Social Justice Institute at UBC. He is a queer, feminist, media artist, and co-founder of Love Intersections, a media arts organization of queer artists of colour. We talk about his current research and artistic practices that grapple with queer, racialized, and diasporic identity, and how intersectional identities can be expressed through media arts.
This conversation is about OYA Media's first production about Mr Jane and Finch, Winston Larose. A short documentary about a long standing community activist who ran for city Councilor in Toronto. A wonderful man, disturbing politics and racism.
Jason W. Moore is an environmental historian and historical geographer at Binghamton University. He is a professor of sociology and author of a number of foundational books and essays on environmental history, capitalism an social theory. This conversation was recorded in 2017 and it seems even more relevant today.
The most pressing environmental problem we face today is not climate change. It is pollution in the public square, where a smog of adversarial rhetoric, propaganda and polarization stifles discussion and debate, creating resistance to change and thwarting our ability to solve our collective problems. James Hoggan talks about his book and what he has learned from a career in public relations and activism.
Note: This conversation was recorded in 2017.
Marc Serpa Francoeur and Robinder Uppal are documentary film makers and join us to talk about how No Visible Trauma came about, how it influenced their lives as they talk about about police brutality in Calgary.
We discuss the environment and the work being done by My Sea To Sky in Howe Sound British Columbia. We also talk about Cop 26, Wood Fiber LNG, how climate change and racial injustice share the same roots, and how we can make a difference!
What about the future is an observational documentary that chronicles a group of youth environmental activists who organized a climate strike in Vancouver. This is a conversation with the Directors - Jaime Leigh Gianopoulos, Claudio Cruz; the Producer - Jen Muaranetz, and Naia Lee who was a "Sustainabiliteen" when this documentary was filmed.
Kent & Robin talk about their documentary that speaks to the issues of Filipino workers in Canada, the sacrifices they and their families make, and how communities near and far support them.
One of my most confronting moments with Roy Scranton and one of my best with Al Gore. Our world may be doomed however there is always hope.
Shannon Walsh is a filmmaker, writer and Professor in the Department of Theater and Film at the University of British Columbia. Shannon talks about The Gig is Up is a new documentary she directed about the gig economy and those people most impacted by it.
Marion Crowe talks about the Soar Above Stigma campaign to champion messages of kindness, acceptance and compassion for indigenous communities.
John Su and Adrian Beaverbones are the co founders of Indigenous Innovations. They are committed to helping First nation communities maximize their health benefits in Edmonton and Vancouver. John talks about their friendship and their work.
The Climate Conversation is a practicum project between Everything, Podcasts, The British Columbia Institute of Technology, and CFRO FM. Spencer Hall, Yugi Hyde, Brooke McCarthy, Nathan Pond and Emily Szabo, wrote, narrated and produced this program and podcast from a vault of interviews with some of the worlds foremost experts on Climate Change.
Consilience is a new paradigm that reveals how things self-organize from the bottom up in contrast to how we communicate which is from the top down. We talk about how Tom has resurrected this concept and some of his discoveries of how to look at our world.
Craig E. Johnson is a professor emeritus of leadership studies at George Fox University and the author of "Meeting the Ethical Challenges of Leadership." Our conversation interrogates leadership and what Craig has observed in the best and worst of them.
I’m Spencer Hall filling in for Don Shafer at the conversation lab. In 2011, Daniel Kingsbury and his band founded an organization called The Jellyfish Project, an organization that harnessed the power of live music to inspire kids to address climate change. This week his mother, Bronia Kingsbury and Naomi Fleschhut, executive director, join us to discuss the groups background, their current initiatives, and how you can get involved.
Natasha Shrikant is a communications scholar with the University of Colorado, Boulder and interested in ethnographic and discourse analysis regarding racial, ethnic and cultural identity. We discuss how to tease out difference in everyday conversations.
Chris & Teri talk about the work they do with Spinal Cord Injury BC, the challenges they face and what it means to be human - in or out of a wheelchair.
Terrance Kosikar is a first responder and was on scene of the fatal luge accident the first day of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler. This is Terrance's story of dealing with PTSD and his dream of helping others with Camp My Way.
Nicola Bartel has been helping young women since 1996 deal with trauma, abuse, and pain. As the Executive Director of Mercy Canada, she talks about the organization and the challenges many women face in these difficult times.
Cherie White is a passionate visionary when it comes to social justice and business. As a long time resident in Vancouver's DTES she is committed to making a difference and talks about some of her ideas about environmentally friendly building projects.
Vancouver City Councilor Michael Weib along with Tonye Aganaba and Kelly Tatham join us to unpack what went into Time to Talk. A round-table discussion in our community to talk about
decriminalizing poverty and what a poverty reduction plan might look like - a sex workers safety plan, the many issues concerning missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2 spirit
people - An equity framework/intersectionality toolkit - the Mayor’s overdose emergency task force, women’s equity strategy, and the healthy city strategy.
This is a conversation with Michelle Sholzberg about how a world wide research project came together to investigate a drug that can decrease COVID-19 complications. We talk about the trial, the issues, and chronicling this journey in the podcast series - Pillar of Hope
Kari Marie Norgaard is Associate Professor of Sociology and Environmental Studies at University of Oregon. Dr. Norgaard has published and taught in the areas of environmental sociology, gender and environment, race and environment, climate change, sociology of culture, social movements and sociology of emotions. She currently has two active areas of research: work on the social organization of denial (especially regarding climate change), and environmental justice and climate work with the Karuk Tribe on the Klamath River. author of Living in Denial: Climate Change,
David Whyte is an internationally renowned poet and author. His poetry and storytelling, is nothing short of transcendent. I'm unashamedly a huge fan as his conversations and poetry have come to my rescue at some darker times in my life and this seems like a perfect moment in history to share He came by our studios a few years ago, and this feels like a perfect moment in history to share this conversation.
After nearly 8 months of being shut down due to COVID 19, BLANKET BC is BACK picking up and delivering blankets. In this episode Gregory talks about the impetus of the organization, the challenges and issues facing Blanket BC and too many non-profit organizations, issues in fundraising and growing issues of homelessness.
Marylee is a storyteller, poet, and stand-up comic. She is always enlightening, thoughtful and fun up close and personal or on stage. Our conversation looks at her views on climate change, the beauty in our neighbourhoods, teaching, politics, homelessness, what it’s like taking her “show” online, and a very funny story about ladybugs being an amateur naturalist and photographer.
Christine Boyle was voted to Vancouver City Council in 2018. She is a climate justice activist, United Church minister, community organizer and champion of Vancouver's Climate Emergency Action Plan. We talk about her path to council, activism, the Pope and many other issues...
Lotte Davis is the Co-Founder of AG Hair and CEO of One Girl Can. In this episode she talks about her memories of relocating to Canada and realizing at an early age that she wanted to return to South Africa and find a way to impact gender inequality helping girls realize their potential to contribute equally.
Paul Larocque is the President & CEO of Arts Umbrella where young artists cultivate their creativity in Dance, Theatre, Art & Design. Paul explains the challenges and the amazing work he and his team are doing to help young creatives in Vancouver.
The FNHMA provides leadership in First Nations health management activities by developing and promoting quality standards, practices, research, certification, networking and professional development. Marion Crow is their CEO and talks about the work of the organization and its members, thier COVID 19 response, Town Halls and training. ``
Dr. Fook talks about her career, her books, essays, and gives us some ideas of how we can use critical reflection to change our conversations. We talk about her analysis of power, notions of discourse, language, identity, and difference.
Grace Nosek is a Ph.D. student and Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholar. She is interested in how law can be used to protect climate change science, particularly in an environment of doubt created by companies focused on protecting profit.
Matt Price is the founder of For our Kids and together with Marian Hakze they talk about how they are working for a green, equitable and just world for our children and grandchildren.
Sarah is an academic, a lawyer and she is extremely active in our community. Sarah is a regular contributor to The Georgia Straight and The Huffington Post and supports a number of non-profit organizations. We talk about the impact of COVID 19, how our legal system and human rights have been impacted, and how some not for profit organizations have responded to the pandemic.
Celebrating Radio's 100th anniversary in Canada with Stories from some of Canada's iconic broadcasters and music makers. This episode includes Rob Braide, Cliff Dumas, Bernie Finkelstein, Keith Hampshire, Alexander Mair, Shirley McQueen, Joanne Wilson (Dusty Shannon) Terry David Mulligan, Doug Thompson, Bob Roper, Earl Jive. This episode is co-hosted by Eric Rothschild & Don Shafer
Registered in 1969, Archway Community Services is a non-profit, multi-service, multi-funded community based social service agency. Rod Santiago is their Executive Director and he talks about the challenges and opportunities looking after over 90 programs.
Jennifer Johnstone is the President & CEO of the Central City Foundation. She has an extensive background in non-profit management and community resource development,. She is a leader in the business community for her continued mentorship of women and youth and passionately committed to social justice. In our conversation, she talks about the past, present and future of the CCF and the challenges and opportunities facing the not for profit sector.
Approximately 700 youth experience homlessness every night in Vancouver. Sean Easton talk about Zero Ceiling and how they are committed to ending homeless in British Columbia.
Fresh Roots is a non profit society that grows food for all. In this podast Alexa Pitoulis talks about thier programs before, COVID 19 and what they are doing now in various communites with programs like "Chefs for Families!"
Carpenter and builder, Andy Hoffman is also a professor at the University of Michigan. Our conversation focuses on many of the issues that are emerging in a post-COVID 19 world. Are our universities facing a crisis of relevance? Can this crisis spark lasting changes in Society?
Kimberly Nemrava talks about how non-profit organizations and community groups can prepare for and respond to COVID 19.
Sharon Davis and Christina Labaraca founded Giving Well, a not-for-profit organization that helps companies find meaning and purpose with philanthropy.
Stacey Dallyn is a registered art therapist and the founder of the Art Hub. Together with Kat Shein writer, storyteller and digital explorer, they talk about the art hub, art therapy and how important it is!
The Community Evolution Foundation partners with community enterprises in Canada, Bolivia and Ecuador. Paul Zysman discusses use his passion and vision as he imagines a different world. Lyn Tyler speaks to some of the issues of fundraising in a changing world.
The Potluck Cafe Society is an award-winning social enterprise the employs neighbourhood residents in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Naved Noorani talks about what's changed since COVID 19.
The BC Tech for learning society has been around for 26 years and in that time they have worked with comminutes and government to provide over 180,000 computers to not for profit organizations. Mary Em Waddington talks about the challenges of keeping us connected.
How do we imagine a new world when we are in a crisis? Dara Parker discusses what a new normal could look like and how the Vancouver Foundation is responding to an urgent need as well as planning for a brighter future.
Jessica Lifely talks about the Electronic Recycling Association and the way they keep organizations and individuals connected.
Why does violence against women and children increase when there is a crisis? The Executive Director of the Battered Women's Support Services - Angela Marie MacDougall explains why, what they are doing about it, and why they need our help.
Tony and Michael Wallace are “changemakers” doing their very best to make a difference. In this episode, they share some personal stories about their family, life in Jamaica and London, racism, their desire to help kids in the neighborhood, no matter where they live.
Jessie talks about a belonging lens, a simple compass and raw emotion to help us re-connect to our values and relationships and re-discover our incredible diversity, the wisdom and the gifts that lie within it.
Megaphone is a magazine sold on the streets of Vancouver and Victoria by homeless and low-income vendors looking for a way out. Suzanne Kilroy, Julia Aoki and Will Pearson join us to talk about how they save lives and create significant social change.
Good Pitch Vancouver brings together documentary filmmakers with foundations, NGOs, philanthropists, policymakers, brands and media around leading social and environmental issues - to forge coalitions. Sue Biely talks about the key issues independent film producers have ensuring impact and how "Story Money Impact" brought Good Pitch to Vancouver.
Our conversation is with Barbara Coates and Tom Littlewood.
We talk about the origins of Dans Legacy, the various programs that they have, some of the “upstream” issues regarding trauma, homelessness and addiction and how we can understand them better.
Kelly is a professor of philosopher specializing in feminism, political philosophy, and ethics.
Oliver is the author of 15 books and hundreds of articles. We talk about what she is passionate about, humans, animals and others and how her writing has changed over the years.
Peter, Charlene, and the team at Hollyhock are looking to the future and an organization in transition. We discuss emergent program areas in leadership, liberation, climate advocacy, and inner skill development for greater social impact,
The science, denial, politics, and business of Climate Change are challenging. Jae Mather is the Co-founder and Director of the Carbon Free Group. He is a cleantech growth strategist, global macro trend specialist and a champion of the low carbon economy and helps make sense of what' going on.
In this episode, Nicola Dunne who is with the PLAN Institute - and Cynthia Minh who is with The Disability Alliance join us. We talk about the world’s first Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), and the work of both organizations.
Dara Parker is a visionary leader with an impressive track record of bringing Vancouver’s diverse communities together. She joins us in the conversation lab and discusses her new role with the Vancouver Foundation. During this episode we talk about the Vancouver Foundation and the role of community foundations across Canada; a shift to a systems change focus and what that means to community organizations as well as the health of our City; the role of donors and engagement, the newest Vital Signs 2019 and a conversation about what’s changed since the first report in 2006.
Julia Hunter & Leonard Schein join us we learn about Food Stash, feeding our city while reducing the environmental impact of food waste.
Sarah Leamon, founder of the Women's Association of Criminal Lawyers BC, talks with Don about justice for trade workers, new cannabis legislation, and her passion for community work.
Nathan Fong, award winning food stylist talks about Vancouver and BC's world class culinary status.
Kim Haxton, co-founder of IndigenEYEZ, which builds the confidence of Indigenous youth through a creative land-based program that rests on traditional philosophy and values.
Scott Elliott, Executive Director of Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation, speaks with Don Shafer about the unique challenges people living with HIV have.
Truth & Inspiration - Three different views regarding the social and political impact of climate change.
Heather Wong-Mitchell and I talk about key issues, QMUNITY's many programs, outreach through BC, funding, aging and a few other interesting and quirky things.
Kit Rothschild and Olive Bing are with the PACE Society located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. They talk about its origins and issues and about an amazing group of dedicated, compassionate people committed to providing Sex Worker-led and driven programs and services for Sex Workers.
Linda Solomon Wood is a journalist, entrepreneur, and the publisher of the National Observer. In our conversation, Linda talks about her vision to build a local and national news platform, what’s wrong with journalism, diversity in media, local and global citizenship and more. She also talks about "dark nights of the soul" and how to get through them.
Trying to understand Vancouver's Downtown East Side is complex. Which is why professionals come from all over the world to try and understand. Tom Wanklin is a senior planner with the City of Vancouver and he explains many of the issues.
Karen Mahon is a strategist, organizer, facilitator, fundraiser, and teacher with more than 25 years in making social change. Early in her career, she led Greenpeace's campaign to protect the old growth rainforest of Clayoquot Sound, now a UN Biosphere Reserve. Karen has been a student and teacher focused on the intersection of the inner spiritual and emotional realms with the outer ecological and social crises. Our conversation visits the edges of death, politics, climate and what it means to be human. We also spend a little time talking about climate hope, Karen’s latest project and retreat at Hollyhock in September.
Of the estimated $360 million per year to operate 260 social services and housing sites in the greater downtown east side, three-quarters of the spending is funded by governments, and the rest by private donors. For those like Mission Possible that can't rely on funding alone they have created a social enterprise to help support their work with community development, and street-level care. Mathew Smedly and Jasmine Allen join us in a lively conversation.
Eco-Justice lawyers have represented community groups, not for profits, First Nations, and individual Canadians on the frontlines of the fight for environmental justice since 1999. This conversation with the Executive Director explores our "gold rush laws" and Canada's environmental track record.
Roy Scranton is the author of War Porm, Learning to Die in the Anthropocene, and We're Doomed, Now What? His journalism, essays, fiction, poetry, and reviews have been published in Rolling Stone, the New York Times and many other publications. He is also one of the editors of Fire and Forget: Short Stories from the Long War. He holds a Ph.D. and teaches creative writing in the Department of English at Notre Dame. This is one of the most sobering interviews I've ever had!
Women in Canada live at greater risk than men of domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, and sex trafficking. Because it costs women their lives: approximately every six days, a woman in Canada is killed by her intimate partner. Thankfully there are gentle warriors like Angela Marie MacDougall to help.
Naomi Oreskes talks about writing the introduction to the Encyclical, climate change, propaganda, and hope!
Cally Wesson & George Pitman talk about Variety and the work being done to help kids and their families in British Columbia.
Naomi Klein talks about Trump politics, No Is Not Enough, activism, and why we need to get off the couch!