Let's Talk Poverty

In this episode of Let's Talk Poverty, Jaclyn chats with Meaghon Reid, Executive Director of Vibrant Communities Calgary about the state of poverty in Calgary, VCC's Beneath the Surface report and what individuals can do in their spheres of influence to affect poverty reduction and build community wellbeing. They also touch on an array of topics from affordable housing to social disorder to why it...

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with Salimah Kassam, leader of Rise Calgary, to explore what it means to move from a scarcity to strength mindset, the concept of designing systems that create slack for people, and what some of the roadblocks are to shifting perspectives on poverty. They also discuss behavioural economics, why collaboration is necessary for solving poverty, and how in...

In this episode, Meaghon Reid sits down with Adam Legge, president of the Business Council of Alberta, to explore what the role of business is in society, how that role is evolving, links between business and a healthy society, and the concept of shared prosperity. They also discuss financial and social prosperity, perspectives on how businesses may intervene, influence or shift policy, and insigh...

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with James Stauch, executive director of the Institute for Community Prosperity at Mount Royal University, to explore social innovation and social purpose, and how systems mapping is a wayfinding tool that helps deepen one's understanding of a problem. They also discuss a variety of other topics including different social enterprise models, the impact...

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with Jessica Cope Williams, Co-CEO of Kindred Connections Society to explore how an organization's name can act as a barrier to those trying to access services and what it means to be a connection first organization. They also discuss mental health, poverty and early parenthood, and how investments in collaborative work across organizations shape bette...

In this episode, Meaghon Reid sits down with the CEO of Calgary Reads, Steacy Pinney, to discuss how Calgary Reads is spreading early literacy across Calgary through the Dandelion strategy, and the importance of literacy and prevention in the early years. They also explore how relationships are the catalyst for progress and change, how literacy is a community responsibility, along with some insigh...

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with Sarah Sinclair, a Lawyer who leads the Indigenous justice program, Sahwoo mohkaak tsi ma taas (Blackfoot for "Before Being Judged") at Calgary Legal Guidance. They discuss creating equal access to justice for Indigenous people, how Indigenous Law brings healing, and the need for systemic change in the legal system.

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel is joined by policy and research specialist Lee Stevens to explore basic income. What a basic income could mean for Canadians and how it could have a positive impact on our social support systems. Insights into why basic income is a bold approach and why it's important now. Providing evidence that debunks some of the misconceptions about basic income and how we...

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel and co-host Lee Stevens dig into the topics of child care, women, and the economy with Andrea Cox from YW Calgary and Nevena Ivanovic with the Women's Centre of Calgary. Together they discuss why child care is an economic imperative, share insights into the care economy, and examine why advancements in child care also require investments in the child care workfo...

In this episode, Meaghon Reid sits down with the CEO of The Alex, Joy Bowen-Eyre, to discuss what it means to provide dignified services, and how food is a convenor and community builder. They also explore how progress comes from investing energy into policy and advocacy and why it's important to abandon the status quo.

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel is joined by Community Facilitation and Engagement Specialist Hagir Sail to explore allyship. Discussing how Enough for All principles like shared leadership, reducing racism and discrimination and dignity for all relate to allyship. Providing ideas about what active allyship looks like, and how it may require people to sit in discomfort and choose not to avoid...

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel is joined by Celestina Akinkunmi with the Calgary Immigrant Women's Association (CIWA) to discuss how providing resources and supports makes a difference in how newcomers navigate and adjust to life in Canada. They examine the importance of removing language barriers from the equation and how meaningful partnerships help CIWA respond to the unique and individual...

In this episode, Vibrant Communities Calgary and EndPovertyEdmonton's Executive Directors share perspectives on poverty reduction and the future of Alberta. Discussing innovation and public will, the concept of servicing poverty, the role of policy in poverty reduction, and how municipalities are leading the way.

In this episode, VCC's Meaghon Reid sits down with Momentum's Jeff Loomis to talk about financial empowerment, innovations like the QUBER savings app, skills training, reconciliation, and why investing in the local economy and adopting social procurement policies are valuable practices.

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel catches up with Sue Gwynn from Poverty Talks! to chat about the importance of engaging with the voices of lived experience. Hear about why Poverty Talks! challenges perceptions around poverty, how models and systems keep people in poverty, and why poverty is a trap.

In this episode, VCC's Executive Director Meaghon Reid sits down with Mayor Naheed Nenshi. Mayor Nenshi is one of the original champions of the Enough for All strategy and emphasizes how 'my neighbour's strength is my strength.' Listen to them discuss priorities for Calgary and poverty reduction, insights from over a decade of serving as Calgary's mayor, advice for navigating the multi-jurisdictio...

VCC's Executive Director Meaghon Reid sits down with Karen Young, president and CEO of the United Way of Calgary and Area, to discuss how community partnerships deliver dividends in the poverty reduction space. The United Way is a leader in developing key partnerships that drive results. Get to know what the United Way has learned from initiatives like Community Hubs, how businesses are evolving a...

In this episode, literary specialist Berniece Gowan discusses how improving literacy levels can shift the needle on poverty reduction. With one in five Albertans experiencing challenges in literacy, numeracy or use of basic digital technology, these individuals can face stigma, employment challenges and increased levels of poverty. Organizations like Calgary Learns are tackling this issue head on...