Middle Fingers Up

Today we have the privilege to sit down with Priya Ramesh, the Marketing & Communications Manager at BUMP.  (Spoiler Alert: We also get to meet cartel.contra) Priya shares the positive impact murals can have  on our city and within our community. Since its inception in 2017 as the Beltline Urban Murals Project,  BUMP Festival has experienced remarkable growth, evolving into a city-wide street...

Note to Listeners:  The audio quality in this episode may not be perfect, but after careful consideration, we've decided to stick with the original recording for its genuine emotion and authenticity. This initial conversation captures the essence of a first-time discussion, and we believe it's important to deliver content that's completely real and unscripted, without resorting to a...

The Bruvcast is more than just a podcast; it's a safe haven where open and honest conversations reign supreme. Raj and Mik, are the torchbearers of this platform, demonstrating the power of dialogue in combating isolation and forging a community of understanding and empathy. The journey begins with two friends who've walked life's unpredictable path together, encountering the peaks...

Join us as we explore both the positive and negative patterns that often govern our interactions within families. Discover those seemingly subtle yet powerful negative patterns that may be invisibly shaping our lives, patterns that no longer serve us. We shed light on the sometimes useful strategy of avoidance, which can help maintain family relationships, but caution on its potential negative imp...

A warm welcome to Brenda and Aman, a couple who have beautifully exemplified compassion, gratitude, and love and most importantly growth throughout their 15-year marriage.   In this episode we explore well-being, recount the beginnings of their interracial relationship, and explore the idea of "tit-for-tat" exchanges as well as bidding for affection. They thoughtfully discuss the critica...

Join us as we welcome back Registered Clinical Social Worker, Angela Hick to discuss transitions and how they impact us. While our conversation is inspired by the back-to-school season , we believe that transitions mark pivotal moments in our lives, demanding us to navigate change. Returning to school is one such transformation, and Angela is here to guide us through it all. Discover a wealth of t...

Today, we are deeply honored to have a remarkable guest joining us, a human, a husband, a father, a lawyer:  Sumit Ahuja.  We welcome Sumit as he opens up  on addiction to alcohol and cocaine, describing it as a disease that affects both the mind and soul. He openly discusses how addiction can lead to a cycle of conflict, acting as a distraction from one's own struggles. Sumit opens up about...

Welcome Bhavin Bhadresa!  A true creative force, the visionary artist behind Su Che Art. Hailing from the vibrant blend of Indian-Kenyan-Londoner cultures, Bhavin's journey is an inspiring weave of multicultural influences. Bhavin's exploration of the idiosyncrasies and traditions that defined his multicultural upbringing has ignited a creative flame within him. Through his artistic bril...

Welcome Ashley Jones, a Registered Clinical Social Worker who fearlessly shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with Adult ADHD later in life. In a world where women are frequently overlooked and confined to a stifling mold of catering to others, Ashley's story stands as a reminder of the efforts required to challenge societal expectations. These expectations persist for young girls w...

Welcome to today's episode of our podcast, where we have the honor of hearing the  remarkable journey of Jugpreet Bajwa, fondly known as Juggy. To say that Juggy is a musician would be an understatement; his exceptional talents in multilingual singing have earned him immense respect within the South Asian community. Notably, he has been acknowledged in the prestigious Bollywood community, eve...

Hey there, it's me, Kiran, and I couldn't be more excited to share this special episode  with you.   For all of you in relationships, married, or single there's a bit in here for everyone.  And let me tell you, this one is extra special because it was a request straight from you, our incredible listeners! Now, you probably  already know that I'm a South Asian woman, but what yo...

Welcome and a heartfelt thank you to Brent Dodginghorse for delivering an incredibly inspiring and powerful episode (that  you absolutely cannot miss!) This Episode inspired me to go write in my diary.  Here are the highlights that resonated with me: 1.  Discover the power of understanding the story behind your name, your family, your culture, and your values.  2.  Keep your family values, culture...

We're thrilled to have Evan Dewald, also known as @recesscreek, an Enneagram Life and Business Coach, and Tara Linsley, aka @taralinsley.ca, a digital marketing coach, as our guests on this episode. Together they co-host the UnpackedPod, a podcast that explores the power of storytelling, self-discovery, the positive impact of Enneagrams on relationships, and their personal journeys with faith...

In this thought-provoking discussion, we explore the power of growth before and after 40, uncovering the unique paths that led these incredible women to participate in the 40 Woman Over 40 Boudoir Campaign by the talented @LaurieMacBrownphotography.  We candidly share experiences with careers, life, and love, shedding light on the amazing transformations that come with embracing our forties.  Thro...

Today we have a very special guest joining us: Kien, a videographer with an impressive 14 years of experience in diverse marketing roles and a strong social media presence under the handles Calgaryvideographer and Shotbykien. But Kien's talents go beyond videography – he's also an accomplished rapper known as officialkien. With his multifaceted skills and diverse background, Kien adds de...

Join us for a heartfelt episode dedicated to Men's Mental Health Month as I sit down with Zak, a prominent Canadian podcaster to explore the MenTell.ca campaign's launch. This empowering endeavor extends an invitation to individuals to embrace hope, courage, and find solace within a supportive community where men can openly express their deepest thoughts and share strategies for navigati...

In this deeply personal episode, we sit down with a remarkable guest, Melissa Johnston, who shares her courageous journey of being diagnosed with Colitis and the transformative lessons she learned along the way. Melissa, like all our guests, shares a story about strength, empowerment and healing.  Join us as she opens up about the importance of self-advocacy and the heartbreaking experiences she f...

Join me and special guest Regan Bourassa in this inspiring podcast episode as we explore her extraordinary journey of transformation. From being a plus-size woman to navigating major health complications that have resulted in 14 surgeries, Regan's story is a testament to resilience. As a loving mother of two, she shares valuable insights on embracing uncertainty and the power of a supportive...

Join us for an uplifting and humorous conversation featuring David McPhee, a Certified Canadian Counselor, Registered Counseling Therapist, and Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. Despite grappling with a speech impediment and ADHD, David has thrived in the field for nearly two decades. In this episode, we delve into the domains of toxic masculinity, racism, and the stigma surrounding mental health...

Join us for a powerful and candid interview with Anjali 'Aunty' Singh as she shares her inspiring journey as an immigrant and Indian woman. In this heartfelt episode, Anjali opens up about the unique challenges she faced, including the cultural expectations, restrictions and her issues surrounding alcohol, as well as the profound impact on her as a first-generation parent raising childre...

Join us for an enlightening episode of our MFU Body Image Campaign.  Today we welcome Registered Dietitian Sarah Howe McKenna from Howenutritious. Together, we delve into the topic of diet culture  and its profound impact on our lives, including that of our children. Prepare to experience numerous aha moments as Sarah introduces a compassionate approach to eating. As we all know, our dietary choic...

Welcome to a very special 25th episode of Middle Fingers Up Podcast, where we celebrate the power of curiosity and openness in fighting against the stigma surrounding mental health. Our passion project has evolved into a movement that connects individuals with the idea that their well-being is a top priority. We are honored to have listeners from over 40 countries who support us in this mission. T...

In this captivating episode, we delve into the remarkable story of Mikayla, a paramedic whose journey will leave you inspired. Mikayla's honesty and humor are truly empowering, demonstrating that one can navigate through challenging experiences and emerge stronger. Following a diagnosis of PTSD after a harrowing call, Mikayla shares her insights on the importance of acknowledging our feelings...

Welcome Harpreet Pandher, analyst on Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi.  Join us as we talk about influencing a community through opportunities, positivity and dreams coming true.  We dive into breaking down barriers as children of immigrants as well as creating generational inclusivity through sport.  Harpreet comes with humor, honesty and humbleness as he tell us his best moments so far in his care...

Meet Simran Sachar - dancer, actor, teacher, writer, director, and the latest lead in Anosh Irani's hit play, Bombay Black. Join us as we chat with Simran about movement, mental health, South Asian representation, and much more. Simran shares her dance background, which began at the age of 3, and discusses the business of dance and the arts. She also touches on the potential lack of security...