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Dr. Marva Ferguson

April 17, 2025 admin 00:18:02 Comments Off

In this episode, hosts Janine De Castro and Lexy Dame speak with Dr. Marva Ferguson, an associate professor at Mount Royal University and an advocate for diversity and inclusion. Dr. Ferguson opens up about her experience growing up in rural Jamaica and coming to Canada in 1993, where she faced many challenges adjusting to a new world of barriers.
Her personal experiences ignited a flame for education, anti-racism and decolonization. Dr. Ferguson takes us through her recent research on the challenges immigrant children face when reuniting with their parents in Canada, and the role of social workers in supporting Jamaican-Canadians. Through her work, she highlights the importance of diversity in education and all industries, as well as the need for actionable policies to create well-rounded communities. Dr. Ferguson’s story is a display that every conversation, policy and action is one step closer in the direction of creating a more equitable society.
Find out more about the Jamaican Community Association of Alberta here.
This series was produced by journalism students at Mount Royal University in Calgary, as part of the Community Podcast Initiative.

Ethical considerations for community engaged journalism

April 8, 2025 admin 00:21:05 Comments Off

Community-centred journalism can sometimes seem at odds with traditional media practices. Sources rarely see an article before publication and even then newsrooms have complete control over a story. Engaged journalism flips this on its head, but there are a number of ethical factors newsrooms must first consider.
In this episode, host Jessica Botelho-Urbanski, sits down with Toronto Metropolitan University professors April Lindgren and Nicole Blanchett to explore how news outlets can maintain editorial independence while fostering relationships with communities.
This series is a collaboration between the Community Podcast Initiative at Mount Royal University and J-Source.

Re-engaging: Ethical considerations for community-centred journalism

April 8, 2025 admin 00:21:48 Comments Off

This month, we’re sharing the first episode of our newest podcast series, Re-engaging: Exploring new ways of doing journalism.
The series draws on interviews from an Enagaged Journalism conference at Concordia University last summer, and looks at the various successes and challenges of community-centred journalism. This first episode is all about ethical considerations.
Community-centred journalism can sometimes seem at odds with traditional media practices. Sources rarely see an article before publication and even then newsrooms have complete control over a story. Engaged journalism flips this on its head, but there are a number of ethical factors newsrooms must first consider.
In this episode, host Jessica Botelho-Urbanski, sits down with Toronto Metropolitan University professors April Lindgren and Nicole Blanchett to explore how news outlets can maintain editorial independence while fostering relationships with communities.
This series is a collaboration between the Community Podcast Initiative at Mount Royal University and J-Source. You can find all the episodes at thepodcaststudio.ca or wherever you get your podcasts.

Raising Voices: How Podcasters Create Space for Under-Represented Communities

December 20, 2024 admin 00:40:41 Comments Off

Podcasting is often thought of as a vessel for storytelling. It can also work to amplify the voices of communities that have historically been suppressed.
This past September, the CPI was a sponsor for the first-ever PodSummit YYC. The two-day event brought podcasters from across the country to downtown Calgary. They shared stories of innovation and inspiration, while exploring the future of Canadian podcasting.
The CPI’s Brad Clark hosted a panel discussion bringing together Alberta-based podcasters who share the stories of marginalized communities mainstream media often overlooks.
By sharing their experiences and insights, they explored their challenges and successes, and how podcasting can be a force for change.
To learn more about the CPI, visit our website at thepodcaststudio.ca or find us on social media at @communitypodyyc.

Banner for Static: the head and shoulders of a young brown-haired woman, with multi-coloured static over her eyes. Text reads: Static: A Party Girl's Memoir

Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir

December 13, 2024 admin 01:22:09 Comments Off

A special bonus episode — Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir, in its entirety.
Note: this podcast includes explicit language and references to suicide and trauma.
This four-part series is an audio adaptation of the play Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir. Each episode starts with part of the play, performed by Ashley King as herself and Jaime Cesar as Carolina. Then, in the second half, learn more about this true story as Ashley talks to those who inspired the script.
Click here for a complete episode transcript.
Static is produced by Ashley King and Meg Wilcox, with support from Inside Out Theatre, Chromatic Theatre, and the Community Podcast Initiative at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada.
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Show notes:
(00:00) Part one — Calgary to Byron Bay
(22:20) Part two — Byron to Bali
(38:10) Part three — Home
(1:00:55) Part four — Where Next?
Click here for a complete episode transcript.
–
Music licensed under SOCAN 22C license.
Royalty-free music:
Anthem of Rain, Rock This House (Instrumental)
Alex Productions, Dreamwave Electronic — Revolution
Royalty-free sound effects from Pixabay
–
Credits:
Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir
Written by: Ashley King
Ashley King: herself, Britney
Jaime Cesar: Carolina
Additional voices: Jim Delaney, Meg Wilcox, Dr. Paul Gee, Dr. Claire Taylor, Anton deGroot, Jaime Cesar, Kodie Rollan, Sabreena Shah Baigzada, Camille Craig, Javier Vialta, Jenny Yeung, Lahni Davies, Cody Harpe
Podcast sound design, editing & production: Meg Wilcox
Podcast voice coach: Michelle Brandenberg
Dramaturg: Kodie Rollan
Cultural dramaturg: Daniela Atiencia
Disability dramaturg: Jess Watkin

Where Next?

December 6, 2024 admin 01:11:44 Comments Off

Ashley starts to plan for the future — but can she still follow her dreams?

Note: this podcast includes explicit language and references to suicide and trauma.

This four-part series is an audio adaptation of the play Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir. Each episode starts with part of the play, performed by Ashley King as herself and Jaime Cesar as Carolina. Then, in the second half, learn more about this true story as Ashley talks to those who inspired the script.

Guest interview: Col Cseke, artistic director of Inside Out Theatre, and Kodie Rollan, artistic director of Chromatic Theatre.

Static is produced by Ashley King and Meg Wilcox, with support from Inside Out Theatre, Chromatic Theatre, and the Community Podcast Initiative at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada.
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Show notes:
(00:00) Audio drama: Static, part four
(21:50) Ashley King and Meg Wilcox chat & introduce guests
(24:02) Ashley interviews Col Cseke & Kodie Rollan
(58:25) Reflections and episode wrap-up
Click here for a complete episode transcript.
–
Music licensed under SOCAN 22C license.
Royalty-free music:
Maarten Schellekens, Salt Lake Swerve
Royalty-free sound effects from Pixabay
–
Credits:
Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir

Written by: Ashley King
Ashley King: herself, Britney
Jaime Cesar: Carolina
Additional voices: Lahni Davies, Cody Harper, Kodie Rollan, Javier Vialta

Podcast sound design, editing & production: Meg Wilcox
Podcast voice coach: Michelle Brandenberg
Dramaturg: Kodie Rollan
Cultural dramaturg: Daniela Atiencia
Disability dramaturg: Jess Watkin
Director, stage version: Javier Vialta
Sound designer, stage version: Miranda Martini

Home

November 29, 2024 admin 00:59:08 Comments Off

Ashley and Carolina return home, and work to understand their new reality.

Note: this podcast includes explicit language and references to suicide and trauma.

This four-part series is an audio adaptation of the play Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir. Each episode starts with part of the play, performed by Ashley King as herself and Jaime Cesar as Carolina. Then, in the second half, learn more about this true story as Ashley talks to those who inspired the script.

Guest interview: Meg Wilcox interviews the one and only Carolina King.

Static is produced by Ashley King and Meg Wilcox, with support from Inside Out Theatre, Chromatic Theatre, and the Community Podcast Initiative at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada.
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Show notes:
(00:00) Audio drama: Static, part three
(24:19) Ashley King and Meg Wilcox chat & introduce guest
(26:28) Meg interviews Carolina King
(48:55) Reflections and episode wrap-up
Click here for a complete episode transcript.

If you or someone you know needs mental health support, visit:
Distress Centre 24/7 Hotline (Calgary)
9-8-8 Suicide Hotline (Canada)
Wanna Talk About It (US)
–
Music licensed under SOCAN 22C license.
Royalty-free music:
Anthem of Rain, Rock This House (Instrumental)
Maarten Schellekens, Salt Lake Swerve
Royalty-free sound effects from Pixabay
–
Credits:
Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir

Written by: Ashley King
Ashley King: herself, Britney
Jaime Cesar: Carolina
Additional voices: Anton deGroot, Jaime Cesar, Kodie Rollan, Sabreena Shah Baigzada, Camille Craig, Javier Vialta, Jenny Yeung

Byron to Bali

November 22, 2024 admin 00:54:52 Comments Off

Ashley and Britney are having so much fun, they take the party to Kuta, Bali — but their adventure takes a turn.
Note: this podcast includes explicit language and references to suicide and trauma.
This four-part series is an audio adaptation of the play Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir. Each episode starts with part of the play, performed by Ashley King as herself and Jaime Cesar as Carolina. Then, in the second half, learn more about this true story as Ashley talks to those who inspired the script.
Guest interview: Dr. Paul Gee, Emergency Physician at Canterbury District Health Board in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Static is produced by Ashley King and Meg Wilcox, with support from Inside Out Theatre, Chromatic Theatre, and the Community Podcast Initiative at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada.
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Show notes:
(00:00) Audio drama: Static, part two
(16:53) Ashley King and Meg Wilcox chat & introduce guest
(21:23) Ashley interviews Dr. Gee
(50:21) Reflections and episode wrap-up
Click here for a complete episode transcript.
Click here for Colin’s Facebook group that was mentioned in the interview, Just Don’t Drink Spirits in Bali.
–
Music licensed under SOCAN 22C license.
Royalty-free music:
Anthem of Rain, Rock This House (Instrumental)
Alex Productions, Dreamwave Electronic — Revolution
Maarten Schellekens, Salt Lake Swerve
Royalty-free sound effects from Pixabay
–
Credits:
Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir
Written by: Ashley King
Ashley King: herself, Britney
Jaime Cesar: Carolina
Additional voices: Dr. Paul Gee, Dr. Claire Taylor, Meg Wilcox
Podcast sound design, editing & production: Meg Wilcox
Podcast voice coach: Michelle Brandenberg
Dramaturg: Kodie Rollan
Cultural dramaturg: Daniela Atiencia
Disability dramaturg: Jess Watkin
Director, stage version: Javier Vialta
Sound designer, stage version: Miranda Martini

Calgary to Byron Bay

November 15, 2024 admin 01:02:39 Comments Off

Ashley can’t wait to leave home — and her overbearing mom, Carolina. She and her best friend, Britney, plot a hot Australian summer trip.
Note: this podcast includes explicit language and references to suicide and trauma.
This four-part series is an audio adaptation of the play Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir. Each episode starts with part of the play, performed by Ashley King as herself and Jaime Cesar as Carolina. Then, in the second half, learn more about this true story as Ashley talks to those who inspired the script.
Guest interview: Bruce Horak, actor, playwright, and visual artist, and Chief Engineer Hemmer on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Static is produced by Ashley King and Meg Wilcox, with support from Inside Out Theatre, Chromatic Theatre, and the Community Podcast Initiative at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada.
–
Show notes:
(00:00) Audio drama: Static, part one
(22:36) Ashley King and Meg Wilcox introduce the podcast
(27:58) Ashley interviews Bruce Horak
(56:40) Reflections and episode wrap-up
Click here for a complete episode transcript.
–
Music licensed under SOCAN 22C license.
Royalty-free music:
Anthem of Rain, Rock This House (Instrumental)
Maarten Schellekens, Salt Lake Swerve
Royalty-free sound effects from Pixabay
–
Credits:
Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir
Written by: Ashley King
Ashley King: herself, Britney
Jaime Cesar: Carolina
Additional voices: Jim Delaney, Meg Wilcox
Podcast sound design, editing & production: Meg Wilcox
Podcast voice coach: Michelle Brandenberg
Dramaturg: Kodie Rollan
Cultural dramaturg: Daniela Atiencia
Disability dramaturg: Jess Watkin
Director, stage version: Javier Vialta
Sound designer, stage version: Miranda Martini

A veteran journalist sounds the alarm on how the right is waging a war on words

November 6, 2024 admin 00:40:39 Comments Off

It feels like politics and the media have become increasingly divisive in recent years.
On top of that, the words we use to describe our values — like democracy, truth and freedom — are loaded with dual meanings, leaving many of us wondering: Can we reclaim our political language?
Award-winning author and journalist Carol Off joins host Gabriela Perdomo to discuss her newest book, At a Loss for Words: Conversation in the Age of Rage, and how journalists can continue to seek the truth in an age of misinformation.
This episode is a collaboration with J-Source. You can read the full article here.
To learn more about the CPI, visit our website at thepodcaststudio.ca or find us on social media at @communitypodyyc.