Upopolis: The Podcast

Join Krista, Upopolis National Program Manager, and Tia, the Upopolis child life intern from McMaster University, for this episode. Tia takes over the podcast to speak with Madi, a Camp Fromaway camper, about navigating conversations while living with a chronic illness and her experiences with Cystic Fibrosis.

Join Krista, Upopolis National Program Manager, and Tia, the Upopolis child life intern from McMaster University, for this episode. Tia takes over the podcast to have a conversation with Jenna, a long-time Upopolis member and healthcare advocate, as they discuss navigating conversations with others about chronic illness and the power of self-advocacy.

Join Krista, Upopolis National Program Manager, as she reviews the current referral process for youth to join the Upopolis community and the background behind why the Upopolis team adjusted the age range for members.  Join Upopolis/ Referral Process Chart- Click Link Refer a Youth- Click Here (for professionals) Self-Refer- Click Here (for youth)

Join Krista Naugler, CCLS for episode 44 (not 43) as she shares about a new publication, a grief journal for youth titled Wanderings: A Wayfinders Notebook and the 5th U Got This! Challenge: Wandering Around in Grief. The U Got This Challenge is a four-week grief support program which starts Monday, Feb. 3rd, 2025, see poster and it is free for youth 13-23. Listen to the podcast for all the detail...

Join Krista, the Upopolis podcast host for episode 43 (Oops! She may have said 42 in the episode) as she chats with Lily and Sarah about being young adult mentors, common grounds groups, Upopolis, and research they did that led them to work with the Upopolis team. For youth interested in joining a common grounds session, please click and complete the application in this link . 

Join Krista, our Upopolis National program manager and podcast host to learn about the steps to get connected with Upopolis as a youth and for professionals interested in referring youth. Krista guides listeners through the referral process, highlights some of the opportunities Upopolis is currently offering youth, and reviews other resources available on the website e.g. posters, rack cards, link...

Join Upopolis host Krista Naugler and Upopolis Intern Betina Sales for this episode. Betina takes over host of the podcast to interview for a candid conversation with guests Certified Child Life Specialists Shaindy Alexander and Melissa Dodaro to explore the impactful work of Child Life Specialists in legacy-building and grief support. Drawing from their extensive experience, they provide invaluab...

In this episode, April Young, Camp Director from Camp Maple Leaf / Jacob Island joins Krista to talk about what their camp offers, what parents can look for in a camp, tips, stories, and more. Check out Camp Maple Leaf on their website and specifics on Jacob Island Programs . Youth can also check out more information about camps offered across Canada and tips for going to camp in the U Camp group...

It's a long one but it is packed with good resources including our favourite books and activities that go along with them.  Be sure to check it out and the links below to see the books that the Upopolis team refers to including Lifetimes , I Like Myself , 52 Lists for Happiness , Just as You Are , The Gift of the Ladybug , Hello in There , Have You Filled Your Bucket , Invisible String and mo...

A teacher asked and we have the answers in this episode of the Upopolis podcast. What does Upopolis offer my student if I refer them? What does the programming offered by Upopolis look like? What are the goals or outcomes Upopolis is aiming for? Listen and find out! Plus, check out our recent poster presentation from a virtual conference that the team presented at.  Did you know that the Upopolis...

Please note we ended up switching two episodes to get one recorded after this one out in time for National Children's Day and Children & Youth Grief Awareness Day. In this episode, we say this is episode 35 but it is episode 36. Please join Krista the host of the Upopolis podcast as she chats with special guest Jenna, a youth who has been a member of Upopolis for 6 years and is one of the...

Join Aushia, the Upopolis intern for this episode of the Upopolis podcast. She chats with two teens about grief and loss from their perspective. Grief is a personal experience, and it looks different from person to person. Guests on the podcast are two 16-year-old teens that will be sharing their experience of the death of their fathers, what supports were offered, what they found helpful, and wha...

Hello listeners! It is that time of year again...U Got This Challenge time. This year the Upopolis team will be encouraging youth to put themselves out there by doing acts of kindness, reframing things, volunteering, and having conversations with others. Youth can sign up by emailing us at sopport@upopolis.org or sending a DM to our social channels. All youth are welcome to participate. Teacher! B...

In this episode, Krista talks about filling the gap between gaining new knowledge and using it purposefully. Learning is great but sometimes we can feel guilt from learning new things and then not getting to do what we want with that information. This episode focuses on youth and school transitions and how we as parents, teachers, and health care professionals can help youth to use their knowledge...

Grief is hard! Going into something new like an online community or a grief group and not knowing what to expect is hard too (just a different kind of hard). The Upopolis team wanted to help you; parents, youth, and referrers to get the information you need to learn more about what Upopolis Island has to offer.  Krista invited Jordan and Melissa, the two CCLS who work on Upopolis Island to join he...

Krista, the host of the podcast stumbled across an amazing document from the ACLP released in 2020 ( maybe it got missed or overlooked with the pandemic) about this episode's topic and loads of good research. It is national self-care day in July and this post cast talks about several free self-care activities as well as supporting parents in learning about their child's hospital experien...

This is not a paid ad but I was truly inspired, as I often am by Jenna's content. I was listening to her new Audiobook titled How are you, really ? and episode 30 was born. Life has been hard as we all have been learning to navigate lots of stressful things during the past two years. It can get overwhelming and sometimes even the thought of self-care seems like a lot to take on. While listeni...

Join Krista, Upopolis National Program Manager as she explains the difference between Upopolis and Upopolis Island, what Umeets and Ucafe nights are, and ways to learn more about the world within Upopolis. Yes! She talks about general information sessions, meet & greets, the podcast , and the blog too.

Join Krista and Sophia as they chat with Cora, an eight-year-old girl who wrote and published a book during this pandemic. Cora puts into words her experiences during quarantine as she processes her grief in hopes of also helping other youth grieving as well. You can find Cora's book here at Robert's Press. For more episodes on coping with living in a pandemic visit earlier episode #3 an...

Good conversation and Valentine's are the perfect combinations. With conversation starters being successful in our host, Krista's front-line work, and showing up on her social channels, she was inspired to share more and to create this episode. Thank you to the facilitators at Camp Kedooopse, Miss Suzanne (child_life_grief_notes on IG), Bell, and CLTV at IWK for keeping the conversations...

Have you read Dr. Gary Chapman's book called The 5 Love Languages? It came to mind last night when Nancy and I were talking to the youth in the Greif & U group. When someone does something for you, what do you appreciate? Listen to this episode to learn more. 

From tips on dealing with "firsts" after the death of a loved one to the launch of a new online grief support group for youth, this podcast episode with Krista has it covered. Listen in to hear highlights from Nancy's recent Upopolis blog and to get all the details on the new support group that starts on December 7th, 2021. Krista mentions some other Upopolis blogs, click below to a...

Hey, youth! Are you up for a challenge and an email campaign?  The Upopolis team will be emailing out information and activities on four different themes starting on October 18th - it's called the U Got This! Challenge. The theme is embracing control and content goes out every Monday to your inbox for four weeks.  Krista, Jessica, Tija, and Nancy will be talking about mantras, big feelings, t...

It's September which usually means lots of transitions for youth and their families. Maybe it means heading back to school or starting university or college, going to an adult care facility, or preparing for a hospital stay. Yes, even the transition from summer activities and routines to fall ones.  Join Krista, the Upopolis podcast host as she talks about a few transitions that youth she kno...

In this episode, Krista interviews Tammany a mom of two boys, one who lives with ADHD and the other with profound deafness.  Tammany's parenting journey led her to develop a website that helps families find the professional support they need. Over 500 professionals and organizations have set up profiles in the areas of health, mental health, and education.  To learn more check out this episod...