So I Decided

James Macdonald-Nelson is a landscape architect turned Cities Programme Lead at DemocracyNext, an international nonprofit nonpartisan research and action institute, and a global platform for democratic innovation. In this conversation, James provides examples from around the world to demonstrate how Citizens' Assemblies can strengthen democratic infrastructure. We walk through James' educational a...

Mouna Andraos is a co-founder of Daily Tous Les Jours, a Tiohtia:ke/Montréal-based art and design studio. In this episode, Mouna talks about her own professional journey, the coincidental story of founding DTLJ with Melissa Mongiat, and their work together for over thirteen years - focusing on public participation, connection, and staying true to their goal of using technology as a vehicle of soci...

Desirée Theriault is a Partner and Senior Landscape Designer with Narratives Inc. In this episode, Elspeth talks to Desirée about her journey into landscape design, as well as her views on design as a tool to bring dignity and voice to both land and people. Show Links Narratives Inc. Desiree's thesis work: Red river women: A memorial for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG2S) al...

Jay Wall is a Principal Creative Director at Briteweb. In this episode, Elspeth talks to Jay about his pathway into the intersection of design and social change, including how he uses graphic design to help create more inclusive cities and public spaces. Show Links: Briteweb Spacing Magazine http://spacing.ca/ Raconteurs - Jay Wall: How the Police Turned Me Into an Activist (video of Jay’s G20 sto...

Elspeth speaks with landscape architect René Fan on the intentional and unintentional decisions that led her through historic preservation, landscape design, and now working at an environmental and social enterprise. Show Links: "Depave Paradise" article by Emily Amon and René Fan in the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA): https://www.oala.ca/ground-60-depave-paradise City of Toron...

In this first episode of So I Decided: Elspeth introduces the show, herself, and what's to come. So I Decided can be found at www.soidecidedpodcast.com and on Instagram @soidecidedpodcast So I Decided is recorded on Lenapehoking, the traditional homeland of the Lenape people.