What's your story? Threads of human experience

“They really show us how people used to live and can help us understand the stories of people who came before us, good and bad.”

Community Podcast Initiative — Mon, 06 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Sometimes history surrounds you, even if it no longer exists. Old architectural buildings hold clues to the past, telling the stories of those who came before us. In Calgary, buildings that no longer stand, and those that still do, provide a sense of how the city came to be.

Frank Finley is exploring the history of these lost buildings. With a love of architecture, Frank is on a mission to share the city of Calgary’s vibrant past as he delves into the old buildings that once stood. He shares the story of two lost buildings and those who dwelled in them. With his research, Frank looks to conserve these stories in a book he is currently writing.

This episode is hosted and produced by Ethan Seaborn, and was made in collaboration with the Community Podcast Initiative. You can learn more about the CPI at https://thepodcaststudio.ca/.

"If we're going to stop intergenerational trauma, somebody's gotta draw the line in the sand."

Community Podcast Initiative — Mon, 06 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Every family has trauma. For generations, parents unknowingly passed their trauma down to their children. But with increasing mental health resources, trauma can be identified and healing can begin.

Crystal Allon knew she had trauma after growing up with parents who survived the residential school system. However, she never understood how the trauma affected her behaviour as a parent. But in her 50s she had a wakeup call - her son told her he was going to go no contact unless she healed and corrected her toxic behaviours.

By breaking down her past, Crystal is changing her future. In a healing journey of therapy, cultural connection, and — surprisingly — TikTok, Crystal’s life is changing, her family is healing, and the intergenerational trauma is breaking.

This episode is hosted and produced by Julie Patton, and was made in collaboration with the Community Podcast Initiative. You can learn more about the CPI at https://thepodcaststudio.ca/.

“We knew what it felt like to lose — and we knew we didn't want to feel that way again.”

Community Podcast Initiative — Mon, 06 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Hockey is the pride of Canada. The sport that unifies us all. And it’s a sport that draws people in from all over the country.

Lyndsey Janes, for instance, didn’t start playing hockey until she was 10. Even then, she only played recreationally at first. It wasn’t until she took a leap of faith and tried out for a competitive boys' team that her hockey journey really began. A journey that took her far from home, and resulted in a National Championship at Mount Royal University, and a career that has the potential to live on after university.

This episode is hosted and produced by Zach Payne, and was made in collaboration with the Community Podcast Initiative. You can learn more about the CPI at https://thepodcaststudio.ca/.

“It was one of the hardest decisions”

Community Podcast Initiative — Mon, 06 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Shared conversations into the effects of job burnout, neurodivergence, art and how the determined decision to thread together separate passions can lead to a brighter future.

Through Sophie Sammes, and her father Steve, we navigate the destinations travelled to, both personally and via air travel.

This episode is hosted and produced by El Reid, and was made in collaboration with the Community Podcast Initiative. You can learn more about the CPI at https://thepodcaststudio.ca/.

“It's just this testament to undying love”

Community Podcast Initiative — Mon, 06 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Not many people are lucky enough to receive a grand gesture on a regular basis, but for Shane Bassen, he wouldn’t let a day go by without cherishing his wife Sandy. That’s why he’s been going out every snowfall and special occasion before sunrise, creating giant love notes to her on a hill visible from a major highway in South Calgary for decades. Follow host Tammie Samuel as she answers questions many have wondered about the community “SAN D” heart phenomenon for years, and even gets the chance to witness one being made.

Episode 5 of What’s Your Story? is hosted and produced by Tammie Samuel, and was made in collaboration with the Community Podcast Initiative. You can learn more about the CPI at https://thepodcaststudio.ca/.

“Talking about death does not kill you”

Community Podcast Initiative — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Many people fear death, and the reason why is simple — we don’t talk about it. While many of us avoid the topic of death, Janet Arnold's experiences of loss meant dying was a reality she couldn’t avoid. She’s made it her life’s work to study and teach about death, dying, grief, and loss. Similar to Janet, Sonya Jakubec spends her time understanding grief in her work as a mental health nurse and researcher. But neither Sonya nor Janet suggests that engaging in conversations of grief, loss, or death makes our lives more depressing. Instead, engaging with these inevitable realities of life is normal and can even help us live life more fully.

Episode nine of What’s Your Story? is hosted and produced by Emma Boyne.

This series is powered by Shaw and produced as part of the Community Podcast Initiative at MRU Journalism.

“Molten Heads — we love you!”

Community Podcast Initiative — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Music is all about storytelling. And metal musician and lead singer of Molten Black, Sebby Trombetta, tells a story that Calgary isn’t just for country music. Sebby hopes to create metal music and performances that are slightly less aggressive than you might typically expect. By making music that’s less ‘in your face,’ Sebby wants to bring new fans of the genre to their music. For Sebby, metal is a dream he will pursue forever – a passion he will continue to work at in pursuit of making music his full-time career.

The tenth and final episode of What’s Your Story? is hosted and produced by Peehu Rana and Cullen Chan.

This series is powered by Shaw and produced as part of the Community Podcast Initiative at MRU Journalism.

“This is them showing me they care”

Community Podcast Initiative — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Relationships, no matter the kind, are constantly changing, and Gary Chapman’s Five Love Language Model breaks down how people give and express love. With their growing marriage, Marie McFarlane and Chirine Bassil have faced some challenges being an interracial couple. But they remain dedicated to supporting each other while raising their kids and living fulfilling personal and professional lives.

Episode seven of What’s Your Story? is hosted and produced by Jasmine Krawchuk.

This series is powered by Shaw and produced as part of the Community Podcast Initiative at MRU Journalism.

“I do all of this to make other people think I’m human”

Community Podcast Initiative — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Many of us engage in masking — disguising one’s natural behaviours to conform to perceived social norms. But for folks with autism, masking is an ongoing process to manage their interactions. Constantly manipulating your body language and responses is an exhausting and stressful way to live. For Jordan Roy, masking is a means to conform to people’s expectations of who he is so he can fit in. But living outside of yourself has considerable challenges. And this reality of living an experience most people don't understand is particularly challenging in modern dating.

Episode eight of What’s Your Story? is hosted and produced by Megan Creig.

This series is powered by Shaw and produced as part of the Community Podcast Initiative at MRU Journalism.

“Generations before us have brushed this under the rug, and that’s just not an option anymore”

Community Podcast Initiative — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 11:00:00 +0000

A note: this episode focuses on pregnancy loss.

About 20 per cent of pregnancies in Canada end in miscarriage – a loss characterized by silent grief and hidden guilt due to the stigma around sharing such an experience. Chances are, many people in your life have experienced a miscarriage or multiple infant losses that you know nothing about.

Alicia Toenjes was excited to find out she was pregnant, despite being earlier than she and her husband had planned until she learned the pregnancy was ectopic. To address experiences like these, Danyelle Kaluski and Aditi Loveridge founded the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Centre out of their personal experiences of infant loss. And this is where Steven Pears found connection and comfort after losing his daughter to SIDS. Parents and advocates hope to destigmatize the grief that comes with infant loss and connect folks with the care and support they need instead of folks grieving in silence.

Episode five of What’s Your Story? is hosted and produced by Erica John.

This series is powered by Shaw and produced as part of the Community Podcast Initiative at MRU Journalism.

“We're trying to be inclusive of all types of families and filling the gap where everyone feels supported”

Community Podcast Initiative — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 11:00:00 +0000

A note: this episode focuses on postpartum mental illness.

Giving birth is typically taught to be one of the most joyous moments in a mom's life, but overwhelming joy is not the case for everyone. Some folks experience postpartum mental illness, which can mean postpartum depression, anxiety, and even psychosis. Yalda Kazemi found herself struggling with thoughts of harming her son, making her realize she needed help to deal with the realities of the postpartum mental illness she was experiencing. With the right resources, supports and treatment, postpartum symptoms can improve — yet the stresses on our health care system make it difficult for moms and families to navigate postpartum. This lack of support is why Paige Barlow works to fill gaps in postpartum care through MOSS Postpartum House.

Episode six of What’s Your Story? is hosted and produced by Charlotte Holmes.

This series is powered by Shaw and produced as part of the Community Podcast Initiative at MRU Journalism.

“Before you know it, you start to put together this journey”

Community Podcast Initiative — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 11:00:00 +0000

We all respond to the current climate crisis in different ways. Some people deny it, some recognize it, and some fear it. But some people take action. Inspired to act, the King of Bhutan designed the Snowman Race — the most formidable ultrarace ever assembled — calling attention to the reality of Bhutan's remote communities living in the direct path of climate disaster. Like the King, Nicki Rehn values mountain systems and the natural environment. Her love of mountains called her to apply in hopes of competing in the inaugural Snowman Race, an experience that would push her mind and body further than ever before. The race would ignite a love for Bhutan, and her passion for education would take her journey beyond competing in the boldest five-day ultrarace to date.

Episode three of What's Your Story? is hosted and produced by Sydney Klassen-Rosewarn.

This series is powered by Shaw and produced as part of the Community Podcast Initiative at MRU Journalism.

“Without that water, nothing on earth lives”

Community Podcast Initiative — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 11:00:00 +0000

What’s the first thing you do in the morning? Maybe you brush your teeth, drink a glass of water, or make coffee. Chances are that the first thing you do in the morning involves water. Water means life. However, in some areas in Alberta, it’s not always easy to come by. In fact, in some places, it can be nearly impossible. Rae Callan is constantly aware of the lack of water on her farm and in her home since the four wells on their property have stopped producing. This is why, for the last 15 years, Callan has been hauling in thousands of gallons of water for her family and livestock — a process that is the symptom of more sinister problems at play.

Episode four of What’s Your Story? is hosted and produced by Jessie Bach.

This series is powered by Shaw and produced as part of the Community Podcast Initiative at MRU Journalism.

“Every art form is valid… and that’s the beauty of diversity”

Community Podcast Initiative — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Art spans every line of intersection and speaks to every person in varying emotional or spiritual ways. But Calgary’s art scene does not reflect the broad range of people or work contributing to the industry. For a craft that can provoke profound thought, address social constructs or give meaning to a moment, those diverse pursuits can't exist in spaces that exclude people with different experiences or identities. A first-generation artist, Harvey-Nichol, and an Indigenous musician, Sandra Sutter, explain the impact of the current underrepresentation in Calgary’s arts community resulting from racism and sexism. Whether that means not being included in events or not receiving funding, the impacts are far-reaching. Ultimately, it's up to galleries and institutions to create opportunities and choose to welcome artists from diverse backgrounds.

Episode two of What’s Your Story? is hosted and produced by Astrid Cunanan.

This series is powered by Shaw and produced as part of the Community Podcast Initiative at MRU Journalism.

“This beat isn’t going to judge me”

Community Podcast Initiative — Wed, 31 May 2023 18:00:00 +0000

What is music for you? For Sinzere, hip-hop was her saving grace. She was struggling with her mental health and didn’t have an outlet to help her navigate her feelings and emotions. Hip-hop gave her a space to express herself and deal with life’s challenges — rap is a space to be free of judgment and self-criticism. Sinzere’s experience with hip-hop is similar to other folks looking for a way to navigate life, find connection and express themselves. For the rappers in this fifteen-minute documentary, hip-hop is transformative and identity-affirming.

Episode one of What's Your Story? is hosted and produced by Lorenzo Gavilan Vargas.

This series is powered by Shaw and produced as part of the Community Podcast Initiative at MRU Journalism.