The Conversation Piece

Building and maintaining sexual and body confidence as we age is essential for living healthier, happier lives. The intensity of the changes brought on by menopausal symptoms can make this especially challenging, but reconnecting to pleasure offers one path to empowerment. Luna Matatas is a sex and pleasure educator. This special episode of The Conversation Piece features content from her presenta...

Navigating the health care system after a perimenopause diagnosis can be uniquely difficult, especially without a clear script for what questions to ask. Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe is the Medical Director of Primary Care Outreach at Women’s College Hospital; she is the Health Expert for CTV’s The Social; and she is an advocate and author. This special episode of The Conversation Piece features conten...

Pervasive myths and misconceptions have made the conversation around hormone replacement therapy a contentious and confusing one. But studies show that hormone therapy can be safe and highly effective, helping many women manage menopause symptoms and reclaim a sense of normalcy. Dr. Iliana Lega is a Scientist at Women’s College Hospital Research and Innovation Institute, a Staff Endocrinologist at...

Mental health and menopause are highly stigmatized, making it hard for those experiencing both to chart a path forward. But what if there was a framework that perimenopausal and menopausal women could use to proactively incorporate mental health treatment into their care plans? Dr. Ariel Dalfen is a Psychiatrist and the Co-Founder and CEO of BRIA. This special episode of The Conversation Piece fea...

Did you know that women over forty make up a quarter of the Canadian workforce? Failing to accommodate those experiencing menopause has the potential to drive women out of the working world, resulting in severe consequences for the socio-economic fabric of our society. Dr. Jenny Godley is a Professor of Sociology and Adjunct Professor in Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary. This...

In the Anishinaabe tradition, the experiences of menopause and menstruation are regarded as sacred and in relationship to the land. These stages of life meaningfully connect women and girls to their ancestors, to their communities, and to each other. Sarain Fox is an Anishinaabe Artist, Activist, and Filmmaker. This special episode of The Conversation Piece features content from her presentation a...

The impact of untreated menopause symptoms is far-reaching, affecting everything from an individual’s mental and physical health to the output and efficiency of the economy. How do we equip women with the necessary information and resources to thrive in this new phase of their lives? Janet Ko is the President and Co-founder of the Menopause Foundation of Canada. This special episode of The Convers...

487 trails, part of the Trans Canada Trail, can tell an important story about Canada, its history and its people. Dianne Whelan is a filmmaker, photographer, author, and public speaker. She spoke at The Walrus Talks Nature on March 19, 2024. This episode of The Conversation Piece features content from Manulife presents The Walrus Talks Nature, supported by Trans Canada Trail.  To register for...

Indigenous people’s relationship to land forms an “ontological belonging.” Their spiritual beliefs connect them to the land and to all things of nature. Carolynne Crawley is the founder of Msit No’kmaq, co-founder of Turtle Protectors, and a Forest Therapy Guide. She spoke at The Walrus Talks Nature on March 19, 2024. This episode of The Conversation Piece features content from Manulife prese...

Racialized immigrants face barriers that restrict their access to nature. Access to public spaces for new immigrants encourages participation in society and the potential to build Canadian pride. Ambika Tenneti is an Environmentalist and PhD Candidate in Daniels Forestry at the University of Toronto. She spoke at The Walrus Talks Nature on March 19, 2024. This episode of The Conversation Piece fea...

Environmental health should also consider inequality in the areas of housing, economics, food, education. Iraz Soyalp, PhD, is the Director of Social Impact, Private Markets, for Manulife Investment Management. She spoke at The Walrus Talks Nature on March 19, 2024. This episode of The Conversation Piece features content from Manulife presents The Walrus Talks Nature, supported by Trans Canada Tra...

Some doctors consider nature time to be “the fourth pillar of health.” It can have a positive effect on mood, physical ability, and even mental wellness. Dr. Melissa Lem is the director of PaRx (Parks Prescriptions), an initiative of the BC Parks Foundation, and a family physician. She spoke at The Walrus Talks Nature on March 19, 2024.   This episode of The Conversation Piece features conten...

How we interact with nature changes over time. Canada has a long and rocky history with pipelines. The opposition has taken different forms. Understanding the nuances can tell us a lot about environmental concerns over long periods of time. Sean Kheraj is Associate Professor in the Department of History, Vice-Provost, Academic, at Toronto Metropolitan University. Sean spoke at The Walrus Talks Nat...

There is a diversity in trails and their uses. They are a meeting place for communities. They promote an appreciation for the environment. They promote physical and mental health while also serving as a catalyst for ecological health, community renewal, and economic vitality. Marlaine Koehler is the Executive Director of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust. Marlaine spoke at The Walrus Talks Nature...

Four million people living in Canada are food insecure. Nick Saul—food and social justice activist and president and CEO of Community Food Centres Canada—explores the importance of pushing for systemic change through political engagement and grassroots initiatives on the journey to improving food security. Nick Saul spoke at The Walrus Talks Living Better in Toronto, Ontario, on October 29, 2019....

A commitment to innovation is important in every field, but perhaps none more so than health care. Jessica Ching—co-founder and CEO of Eve Medical—highlights the importance of advocating for patient involvement and cultural shifts in the advancement of health care technologies. Jessica Ching spoke at The Walrus Talks Health in Ottawa, Ontario, on November 28, 2017.  To register for upcoming e...

There is a gap between our anti-violence values and our competence and confidence to play an anti-violence role in real life, but Paulette Senior is determined to close it. Paulette is the CEO and President of the Canadian Women’s Foundation. She explains how confronting biases around gender-based violence is critical for supporting survivors and outlines what tools are available to those in crisi...

Many 2SLGBTQI+ people face abuse and harassment, often at a young age, but JP Kane and Kaleb Robertson imagine a safer, less prejudiced world for all. JP Kane (Fay Slift) and Kaleb Robertson (Fluffy Soufflé) are storytellers and the stars of The Fabulous Show with Fay and Fluffy . They explore the violence faced by the 2SLGBTQI+ community and highlight the importance of building safe spaces that e...

Despite making up only 4% of the female population in Canada, Indigenous women are murdered or missing at much higher rates than any other population. Angela Sterritt is the national bestselling Author of Unbroken. She examines how stereotypes dehumanize Indigenous people and how changing the narrative empowers change. Angela spoke at The Walrus Talks Gender-Based Violence on November 16, 2023. To...

There has been a marked increase in the abuse and harassment of journalists, especially journalists who are women of colour. Shree Paradkar is a Columnist and Internal Ombud at the Toronto Star . She examines the myriad impacts of this abuse, not only on journalists, but on the media landscape and society at large. Shree spoke at The Walrus Talks Gender-Based Violence on November 16, 2023. To regi...

There is a gap in our emergency planning when it comes to intimate partner violence. Anuradha Dugal wants to change that. Anuradha is the Vice President of Community Initiatives at the Canadian Women’s Foundation. She examines the consequences of not shockproofing our emergency planning against intimate partner violence. Anuradha spoke at The Walrus Talks Gender-Based Violence on November 16, 2023...

Patriarchal structures are bad for women and gender-diverse people, but are they also damaging to men? Jake Stika is the Executive Director and Co-founder of Next Gen Men. He examines the negative consequences of a patriarchal society on men and explores how men who feel less pain will do less harm. Jake spoke at The Walrus Talks Gender-Based Violence in Toronto on November 16, 2023. To register f...

Canadian criminal law is changing in response to intimate partner violence, but is it changing for the better? Pamela Cross is the Advocacy Director at Luke’s Place. She examines the consequences of criminalizing intimate partner violence and emphasizes the importance of policy that prioritizes victims rather than their abusers. Pamela spoke at The Walrus Talks Gender-Based Violence in Toronto on...

What is intelligence? Does it require ethical research, group think, or just a well-programmed code? Today, intelligence has an added layer of data and computing power, and AI, a still-emerging technology, poses both opportunities and risks. Toronto Star tech journalist, Navneet Alang, talks about AI’s narrative of progress, its limits, and the need for humans—not just technology—to change. Navnee...

Gentrification has reframed the way we think about ghettos. They’re no longer just in inner cities. As real estate booms, entire communities are being pushed out of city cores and into the margins, says Kamal Al-Solaylee, director and professor at the University of British Columbia’s School of Journalism, Writing, and Media. Kamal Al-Solaylee spoke at The Walrus Talks Cities of Migration in Surrey...