People First Radio - Full Episodes

Psychiatrists Bob Maunder and Jon Hunter, who are both professors at the Univresity of Toronto, share insights on coping with stressful experiences. The topic is also the focus of a recent book authored by the two – Coping: Fix Problems, Find Meaning, Feel Better. The program revisits a conversation with Psychiatrist Alexandre Hudon, who speaks about […]

A trio of members of The Dais Youth Champions program speak about their experiences with tech in schools. The program works with students from across Canada to understand how tech design impacts attention, behaviour, and mental health. From there, the champions are trained to lead conversations on the subject with their peers back home.

Journalist and author Jessica Barrett speaks about a sense of home and the housing crisis, themes she explored in her recent book No Place Like Home. The cast of a Reconciliation Theatre production of Women of The Fur Trade speak about preparing a stage show in the tranquility of a forest.

The Bylaw State co-author Alexandra Flynn speaks about the interplay between municipalities, homeless encampments, and the courts. Kevin Chow and Marvel Hariadi speak about research into how neurodivergent people use distraction blockers, and argue in favour of more inclusive focus aids.

Cory Herzog-Fequet speaks about his work around boredom and substance use among people experiencing homelessness. The topic was the study of Herzog-Fequet’s thesis, and he worked on a review of literature on the subject that appeared in the International Journal on Homelessness. The second half of the show focuses on stories shared at a Nanaimo […]

University of British Columbia Assistant Professor Lianping Ti speaks about a study into people’s behaviour after using drug checking services and finding unexpected active ingredients. Salvation Army Centre of Hope Executive Director Bern Muller speaks about a new building in Nanaimo where they plan to offer expanded services as of this month. People First Radio […]

Bill Collins of Radio Sidney speaks about the 10 part radio drama Beware Mysterious Mark, which tells a story of elder financial abuse. Yo Bro Yo Girl co-founder Joe Calendino speaks about sharing his life story with youth in an effort to help prevent them from experiencing gang related harms. Calendino is a former member […]

University of Saskatchewan History Professor and Canada Research Chair in the History of Health and Social Justice Erika Dyck speaks about the history of the now demolished Weyburn Mental Hospital in Saskatchewan. Caitlin Shane, a staff lawyer with Pivot Legal Society, argues society is sending mixed messages to drug users and calls for regulation of […]

Retired B.C. Judge Philip Seagram speaks about his experience going on a cross Canada busking tour, a journey which he chronicled in the book No Judgement.

Victoria based Dr. Jill Wiwcharuk speaks about her work as an influencer under the handle Streetdrjill. University of Saskatchewan PhD student Maryellen Gibson speaks about dogs, overdose, and naloxone.

Douglas King of Together Against Poverty and Carolina Ibarra of Pacifica Housing speak about evictions from supportive housing. Staff and residents at Boundary Supportive Housing in Nanaimo speak about the impact of the site during a 10th anniversary BBQ.

Erin Dej, associate professor in the department of criminology at Wilfrid Laurier University, speaks about helping develop a curriculum to teach Canadian highschool students about homelessness. That project was inspired by a documentary Dej worked on about homelessness in mid-sized Canadian cities. Tim Naimi, Director of the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, speaks about […]

Bernie Pauly of the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research and the University of Victoria speaks about how the toxic drug crisis has unfolded over 10 years as a declared public health emergency. Also featuring the voices of Amanda Farrell-Low, Stephanie Harrington, and Sarah Lee.

Crackdown author Garth Mullins speaks about his experiences covering drug policy issues. Carleton University’s Holly Shannon talks problematic social media use. A trio of independent musicians from around coastal B.C. share perspectives on substance use in the context of work in the music industry.

VIU Postdoctoral Researcher Trevor Wideman and Walk With Me Operations Coordinator Christopher Hauschildt speak about the intersections between the toxic drug crisis, homelessness, and municipal governance. Frank Moher speaks about his show Boy Player, that tells the story of being orphaned in his youth and moving across the continent. It’s the third in a series […]

Nanaimo Area Network of Drug Users organizer Ann Livingston speaks about an upcoming author talk at Nanaimo’s Harbourfront library. The talk will see Crackdown podcast host Garth Mullins speak about his memoir, also titled Crackdown. Nurse and University of Victoria PhD student Jenise Finlay speaks about her research into people with chronic pain’s experiences of […]

Jordan Kawchuk speaks about his experiences with alcohol use disorder ahead of a free community event on the subject in Nanaimo, taking place March 25th at VIU’s Malaspina Theatre. University of Victoria psychology professor Colette Smart speaks about complex post traumatic stress disorder.

Independent musicians from around coastal B.C. speak about mental health in the industry, following on the heels of a report from music industry leadership consultancy Revelios that identified significant challenges faced by Canadians working in music. The episode features Revelios president and founder Catherine Harrison, as well as musicians Jeff Cancade AKA Devours, NEAVV, and […]

The Guardian’s Canada correspondent Leyland Cecco speaks about sharing his experiences with Tourette syndrome in a first person story for the paper. Nanaimo company Cueva Homes President Bill Xing speaks about looking to bring made in China prefabricated tiny homes to the Canadian market.  

Queen’s University professor and Hungry Stories Project member Elaine Power speaks about food insecurity, and an upcoming graphic novel that attempts to talk to children about the issue. Statistics Canada data on food insecurity: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/hub-carrefour/quality-life-qualite-vie/prosperity-prosperite/food-security-securite-alimentaire-eng.htm

Rob DeClark of Victoria company Home Based Recovery speaks about the idea of translating the in-patient treatment experience into an online course. People First Radio visits the Ethics Bowl regional competition at Vancouver Island University that took place Sunday, February 15, speaking with participants and organizers.

Paul Tedeschini and Nicole Natrass speak about the upcoming run of Clown Fish, a theatre performance based on Tedeschini’s life being mounted in Nanaimo. Filmmaker Cory Thiebert speaks about Mildlife, his Victoria set film that played at the Victoria Film Festival, in which he aimed to show a family like his on screen. Thibert’s parents […]

Recovery Tails Society co-founders Priya Sharma and Kayleigh Bush speak about the Vancouver Island non-profit that helps people attending addiction treatment arrange free, temporary care for their pets. North Cowichan Resident Royce Warren talks sustainability and his decision to write a book on the subject after a lifetime spent working in various resource industries.

A visit to 1030 Old Victoria Road, a supportive housing site in Nanaimo operated by Vancouver Island Mental Health Society.

Medical Psychiatrist Dr. Alexandre Hudon of l’Université de Montréal speaks about the potential interplay between generative AI and psychosis. Clinical Councillor Lexie Morgan speaks about Mountain Muscox, an organization that brings community together to support people who have experienced trauma in the back country.