Living Well

This meditation is led by Brother Kofi, Freedom and Alignment Coach & Reiki Energy Healer. Accompanied by the sounds of ocean waves, listeners are guided through a serene meditation exercise that involves a grounding visualization. Listeners will be encouraged to acknowledge and release any physical, emotional and mental ailments through a kinetic body scan experience. The meditation is accompanied by holistic self-love affirmations to help boost healthy perspectives and reflections.  This podcast is brought to you by the Well Being Collective @ Hart House. Learn more about how our work supports Indigenous, Black and Racialized U of T students and community members by visiting our website. Looking for more meditations or fitness and wellness content, see what else we offer! We'd love to hear from you – contact us. Follow the Well Being Collective on Instagram at @HartHouseFitnessCentre.   More about Kofi Morris:      Brother Kofi is a Freedom & Alignment Coach, focused in the areas of Holistic Health & Wellness, and serves as a Reiki Energy Healer and the founder of Cosmic Wellness Holistic Health.   Brother Kofi offers workshops in Qi Qong (‘Chee Kung'), Meditation, Self-Care, Nutrition Corporate Holistic Health and Wellbeing, Proactive fathering and community development for Non-Profit Organizations across Toronto.   Brother Kofi is dedicated to not only building his business but in volunteering his time in youth development, sharing his skills and experiences with community youth groups across the GTA.  Brother Kofi is also the founder of "Lions and Cubs", a small non-profit organization for young men, which focuses on Leadership and Self-Empowerment.  In addition he is the current Executive Director of "Wisdom Green Earth", a non-profit organization committed to using the arts and nature to positively impact the lives of community.  Follow Brother Kofi on Instagram at @koficoach2k.      This episode is produced by: Shaela McCracken  Music by: Bill Xu

Led by Brother Kofi, Freedom and Alignment Coach & Reiki Energy Healer, this meditation utilizes the backdrop of low West African drum sounds as it guides listeners through an inner-strength meditation and breathing exercises. This meditation is infused with resiliency affirmations to support personal strength and self-determination. People of African descent regularly manage high-stress experiences which stretch their personal capacity and well being. Meditation can help manage  such realities. This podcast is brought to you by the Well Being Collective @ Hart House. Learn more about how our work supports Indigenous, Black and Racialized U of T students and community members by visiting our website.  Looking for more meditations or fitness and wellness content, see what else we offer! We'd love to hear from you – contact us.  Follow the Well Being Collective on Instagram at @HartHouseFitnessCentre.   More about Kofi Morris:      Brother Kofi is a Freedom & Alignment Coach, focused in the areas of Holistic Health & Wellness, and serves as a Reiki Energy Healer and the founder of Cosmic Wellness Holistic Health.   Brother Kofi offers workshops in Qi Qong (‘Chee Kung'), Meditation, Self-Care, Nutrition Corporate Holistic Health and Wellbeing, Proactive fathering and community development for Non-Profit Organizations across Toronto.   Brother Kofi is dedicated to not only building his business but in volunteering his time in youth development, sharing his skills and experiences with community youth groups across the GTA.  Brother Kofi is also the founder of "Lions and Cubs", a small non-profit organization for young men, which focuses on Leadership and Self-Empowerment.  In addition he is the current Executive Director of "Wisdom Green Earth", a non-profit organization committed to using the arts and nature to positively impact the lives of community.  Follow Brother Kofi on Instagram at @koficoach2k.      This episode is produced by: Shaela McCracken  Music by: Bill Xu 

Led by Brother Kofi, Freedom and Alignment Coach & Reiki Energy Healer, listeners are guided through a mindfulness meditation. Join Brother Kofi as you move through an exploration of your ideal life. Listeners will explore a safe space using the visualization of a common morning routine in a familiar environment. This exercise encourages listeners to depict their ideal living space and as a result, provides warmth and optimism as they seed and root the image of a future rooted in self-love. This meditation addresses the need to move from survival mechanisms of living, to a visualized state of thriving by associating positive future imagery.  This meditation challenges listeners to address the scarcity mentality faced by the descendants of people of African heritage.  This podcast is brought to you by the Well Being Collective @ Hart House. Learn more about how our work supports Indigenous, Black and Racialized U of T students and community members by visiting our website.  Looking for more meditations or fitness and wellness content, see what else we offer! We'd love to hear from you – contact us.  Follow the Well Being Collective on Instagram at @HartHouseFitnessCentre.  More about Kofi Morris:    Brother Kofi is a Freedom & Alignment Coach, focused in the areas of Holistic Health & Wellness, and serves as a Reiki Energy Healer and the founder of Cosmic Wellness Holistic Health.  Brother Kofi offers workshops in Qi Qong (‘Chee Kung'), Meditation, Self-Care, Nutrition Corporate Holistic Health and Wellbeing, Proactive fathering and community development for Non-Profit Organizations across Toronto.  Brother Kofi is dedicated to not only building his business but in volunteering his time in youth development, sharing his skills and experiences with community youth groups across the GTA. Brother Kofi is also the founder of "Lions and Cubs", a small non-profit organization for young men, which focuses on Leadership and Self-Empowerment. In addition he is the current Executive Director of "Wisdom Green Earth", a non-profit organization committed to using the arts and nature to positively impact the lives of community.  Follow Brother Kofi on Instagram at @koficoach2k.    This episode is produced by: Shaela McCracken Music by: Bill Xu 

Led by Liz Coucean, multidisciplinary wellness practitioner, this walking meditation is perfect when you are feeling too restless for a seated meditation or when you simply have the urge to move your body. This practice is designed to help release repetitive thoughts, and connect you into your body and the present moment.  This podcast is brought to you by the Well Being Collective @ Hart House. Learn more about how our work supports Indigenous, Black and Racialized U of T students and community members by visiting our website.  Looking for more meditations or fitness and wellness content, see what else we offer! We'd love to hear from you – contact us.  Follow the Well Being Collective on Instagram at @HartHouseFitnessCentre.  More about Liz Coucean:  As a multidisciplinary wellness practitioner, Liz is passionate about offering guidance for individuals to experience inner peace, a calmer mind, and the opportunity to connect more deeply to themselves and their environment.   Liz specializes in teaching meditation and yoga, and offers mindset coaching and corporate wellness consulting as part of her practice. She is also a certified reiki master, an ancient eastern healing modality that promotes stress reduction and relaxation. Liz is based in Toronto, Canada and offers her services globally online.  Follow Liz on Instagram at @lizcwellness and check out her website at lizcwellness.com.  This episode is produced by: Shaela McCracken Music by: Bill Xu 

Led by Liz Coucean, multidisciplinary wellness practitioner, this practice taps into what it means to be resilient. The more we are able to ground into our breath and bodies, the more we create internal resources to help support our nervous system when we experience challenges in life. We can't control what happens to us, but with practice we can learn to regulate our reactions.  This podcast is brought to you by the Well Being Collective @ Hart House. Learn more about how our work supports Indigenous, Black and Racialized U of T students and community members by visiting our website.  Looking for more meditations or fitness and wellness content, see what else we offer! We'd love to hear from you – contact us.  Follow the Well Being Collective on Instagram at @HartHouseFitnessCentre.  More about Liz Coucean: As a multidisciplinary wellness practitioner, Liz is passionate about offering guidance for individuals to experience inner peace, a calmer mind, and the opportunity to connect more deeply to themselves and their environment.  Liz specializes in teaching meditation and yoga, and offers mindset coaching and corporate wellness consulting as part of her practice. She is also a certified reiki master, an ancient eastern healing modality that promotes stress reduction and relaxation. Liz is based in Toronto, Canada and offers her services globally online. Follow Liz on Instagram at @lizcwellness and check out her website at lizcwellness.com. Read the episode transcript.  This episode is produced by: Shaela McCracken Music by: Bill Xu 

Led by Liz Coucean, multidisciplinary wellness practitioner, this grounding meditation is an ideal practice when experiencing periods of overthinking, stress and/ or anxiety. Through breath regulation and a mindful body scan, this meditation will help move awareness away from thoughts and into the body to encourage a felt sense of calmness and relaxation. This podcast is brought to you by the Well Being Collective @ Hart House. Learn more about how our work supports Indigenous, Black and Racialized U of T students and community members by visiting our website.  Looking for more meditations or fitness and wellness content, see what else we offer! We'd love to hear from you – contact us.  Follow the Well Being Collective on Instagram at @HartHouseFitnessCentre.  More about Liz Coucean: As a multidisciplinary wellness practitioner, Liz is passionate about offering guidance for individuals to experience inner peace, a calmer mind, and the opportunity to connect more deeply to themselves and their environment.  Liz specializes in teaching meditation and yoga, and offers mindset coaching and corporate wellness consulting as part of her practice. She is also a certified reiki master, an ancient eastern healing modality that promotes stress reduction and relaxation. Liz is based in Toronto, Canada and offers her services globally online. Follow Liz on Instagram at @lizcwellness and check out her website at lizcwellness.com. Read episode transcript.This episode is produced by: Shaela McCracken Music by: Bill Xu

In this last episode of Season 1, Ezi bids goodbye to the podcast and shares her thoughts on the question so central to this show and her own work: What does it mean to live and be well?As with all things, Ezi does it her way, with a lovely little bonus as she says bye, for now. 

Description:On Today's Episode I have the great pleasure of introducing you to someone that I have known, loved, and respected for a very long time. Daeria Lawson is a health researcher and PhD student at McMaster University. On this episode Daeria and I chat about her research, good science, what it is, and its impact on health outcomes. She also offers her perspective on what it means to live and be well. Daeria is brilliant, effervescent in fact, and it's my pleasure to present this conversation to you.    DAERIA LAWSONTwitter: @_DOLawson | LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daerialawson/?originalSubdomain=ca Daeria Lawson is a health researcher and PhD Candidate in the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact at McMaster University. Daeria's primary research interests are research-on-research, clinical research methodology, and biostatistical methods with applications in rheumatic and infectious diseases. As part of her thesis work she is leading the development of a reporting checklist for studies that evaluate methods in health research studies (methodological studies). She has a longstanding interest in mentorship and enjoys sharing tips about graduate school and supporting students navigating science career decisions. STUDY: Reporting of methodological studies in health research: a protocol for the development of the MethodologIcal STudy reportIng Checklist (MISTIC)

NAOMI JOHNSON: Naomi Johnson, Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) Bear clan from Six Nations, has worked in the arts for nearly fifteen years as a curator, arts administrator, professional artist, and community arts facilitator.  Naomi served as Artistic Director for seven years and then as Co-Executive Director (2018) of the Woodland Cultural Centre, where she curated and programmed annual exhibitions and performance art events. In June 2019 Naomi accepted the position of Associate Director for imagineNATIVE, having the unique and rewarding opportunity to be mentored by then outgoing Executive Director, Jason Ryle. In June 2020 she assumed the role of Executive Director for imagineNATIVE, she very much looks forward to continuing her work supporting Indigenous talent within the film and media arts sector.DORI TUNSTALL: Elizabeth (Dori) Tunstall is a design anthropologist, public intellectual, and design advocate who works at the intersections of critical theory, culture, and design. As Dean of Design at Ontario College of Art and Design University, she is the first black and black female dean of a faculty of design. She leads the Cultures-Based Innovation Initiative focused on using old ways of knowing to drive innovation processes that directly benefit communities. With a global career, Dori served as Associate Professor of Design Anthropology and Associate Dean at Swinburne University in Australia. She wrote the biweekly column Un-Design for The Conversation Australia. In the U.S., she taught at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She organized the U.S. National Design Policy Initiative and served as a director of Design for Democracy. Industry positions included UX strategists for Sapient Corporation and Arc Worldwide. Dori holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Stanford University and a BA in Anthropology from Bryn Mawr College.ZAHRA EBRAHIM: Zahra is a public interest designer and strategist, focused on shifting power to people who are typically underrepresented in institutions and systems. Her work has focused on deep, community-led approaches to policy, infrastructure, and service design. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of Monumental, an organization focused on supporting an equitable recovery that builds fair and just cities and institutions. She is an Executive Advisor to Deloitte on Cities and Design, and a senior advisor to political and public interest initiatives across the country.  Zahra has taught at OCADU, MoMA, and currently teaches at the University of Toronto Scarborough. She has served on the boards of Jane's Walk, St. Stephen's Community House, Toronto Biennial, Canadian Urban Institute, and is the current Chair of the Board for Park People. She serves as an advisor for a range of organizations including Toronto Public Library, Progress Toronto, and Code for Canada. She was recently named Next City's Vanguard “40 under 40 Civic Leader”, Ascend Canada's Mentor of the Year, one of “Tomorrow's Titans” in Toronto Life, and one of WXN's Top 100 Women in Canadian Business.SY BLAKE: Sy Blake is a 3D Artist with a background in Graphic and Product Design, a Graduate of the Central St Martins School in London, with a BA Honours in Product Design.  For many years Sy has worked to bring to life, unique representations of black identity through his skills in 3D character modeling, focusing on black futures and black joy peppered with hints of futurism, sci fi and fantasy. Sy has collaborated with Toronto Based artists and companies like Adidas Canada to help bring his characters to 3D print. And is currently working on his own line of Art Toys. When not working on his own creative projects and collaborations, Sy works as a 3D Modeller for the award-winning Guru Animation Studio in Toronto on the new ‘Sesame Street' show coming to HBO ‘Mecha Builders'.for full bios: harthouse.ca/wellbeing

*Special Host*Welcome to episode 6 of In Conversation. This Black History Month, I'm here to remind you that Black beauty is limitless. My name is Rebekah, and on this episode of In Conversation, I was joined by Alica Hall, Brittany Randell, and Matthew Progress who talk to us about Black aesthetics, cultures and creative means of expression and joy, specifically those drawn across the canvas of our bodies and the spaces around us. Brittany Randell IG:@HumbleBeeTattoohttps://www.brittanyrandell.com/brittanyrandellBrittany is a mother of two children and a tattoo artist in Toronto, whose work focuses on presenting tattoos on black and brown skin. Her concepts range from portraits of people, to florals, animals and more. Brittany is a self-taught machine tattoo artist who also provides various art pieces available to purchase. She also attended the University of Toronto and received a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts with honours in Literature and Religious studies. You can visit her portfolio and everyday posts via her Instagram,  @HumbleBeeTattoo . Matthew ProgressIG: @matthewprogressMatthew Progress is a Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist specializing in music and film. Heavily influenced by surrealism and Black Cultures, he creates content rooted in social commentary, for the purpose of subverting common modes of thinking. His work has been featured on numerous media platforms including Complex, The FADER, VICE/Noisey, and CBC Arts.   Alica Hall:IG: @al_ik_ca @niacentreAlica Hall strongly believes in the transformative potential of the arts to empower and strengthen communities. She has a professional background in strategic communications, having spent 6 years supporting health and non-profit organizations. Alica has a passion for creating spaces for artists to create, learn and connect with new audiences. More recently she served as the Co-chair of Pride Toronto, the largest LGBTQ+ festival in North America. Under her leadership, the festival grew from 10 days to a month, by partnering with cultural institutions to bring queer artists into new venues and spaces. As the executive director of Nia Centre for the Arts, Alica is now heading up the development of Canada's first professional multi-disciplinary arts facility dedicated to supporting and showcasing Afro-diasporic art. This $7.5 million capital project will transform the Nia Centre's 14,000 sq. ft. facility to create a 150-seat theatre, artist studios, a digital media lab, a recording studio, event space, co-working space and gallery space.

On this week's episode I'm joined by Rebekah Robinson. Rebekah is a 4th year student at the University of Toronto and she's also the co-producer of this podcast. Rebekah will be hosting our Black History Month In Conversation episode and so I thought I'd take this opportunity to introduce her to you all. She's been a pleasure to work with and it's my immense joy to share her light, with you. 

On this episode I'm joined by Factor-Inwentash School of Social Work alumna Jeahlisa Bridgeman as we explore what "care" is and how we can care for ourselves and others, particularly in these times. JEAHLISA BRIDGEMANJeahlisa Bridgeman is a Registered Social Worker who holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto. Over the years, Jeahlisa has worked and volunteered in a variety of community settings. However, most of her recent experience has been within the healthcare field where she has supported and advocated for individuals living with chronic illness and comorbid mental health needs. Her practice is grounded in equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and cultural sensitivity. She is passionate about holding space for individuals who are experiencing difficult transitions and various life changes.

On this episode of In Conversation I'm joined Jela, Elvin, Jennifer, and Terry who talk to us about the communities that they work in and support and the special importance of community in these times. They give us a road map for care and an example of how to hold each other close. For Full Bios Visit: https://harthouse.ca/wellbeing JENNIFER LAU | IG: itsjenniferlau ELVIN J. VELASCO | IG: @elv.insight JELA TUBEI | IG: @jelatubeiTERRY GARDINER | Link Here 

Dr. Amrita Ghai, Idil Farah, and Leslie Campbell move us beyond macronutrients and take us through a nourishing discussion about food and its connections to wellness.  Click here for full bios. DR. AMRITA GHAIwww.drghai.comDr. Amrita Ghai, Ph.D., C.Psych. is a clinician, researcher and teacher. She completed her undergraduate degree at The University of Toronto in the Psychology Research Specialist Program (Hons. B.Sc., 2005, Victoria College) and earned her Masters and PhD in Clinical Psychology at York University. Dr. Ghai is a Clinical Psychologist working in private practice where she provides assessment, treatment and consultation to individuals experiencing difficulties with a range of mental health challenges. She is recognized for her strong expertise in disordered eating, body image, perfectionism and anxiety. In addition to her work in private practice, Dr. Ghai has held positions in university counselling centres, outpatient medical units, and teaching hospitals. She was a Psychology Resident, Post-Doctoral Fellow and Staff Psychologist at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton working in the Behavioural Medicine Program, Anxiety Treatment and Research Centre, and Eating Disorders Program.  IDIL FARAH@idilsworld | https://www.idilsworld.com/   Idil is a Registered Nutritionist and Health Educator based in Toronto, with a BASc in Food and Nutrition. She has over 10 years of experience working with clients in both a clinical and community setting. She is continually inspired by the power of food and its ability to heal the body, and promote overall wellness. Idil truly believes, what you eat will dictate the future quality of your health. She strives to empower her clients to take an active role in their health and to develop sustainable healthy eating habits. Her philosophy revolves around the theory that food is your medicine, and your kitchen is your ultimate farmacy.Fundamental to Idil's practice is an integrative approach to health, that puts emphasis on honouring the physical, mental and emotional health. Her customized approach to nutrition counselling and holistic health is a unique blend of science and traditional holistic practices. She strives to educate her clients on the principle of using food as a primary source of healthcare. LESLIE CAMPBELLFoodshare's IG: @foodsharetoLeslie is a food justice advocate with a background in tropical agroecology and community food security. As a student, Leslie spent a year in Northern Thailand managing an organic farm and developing an agricultural training curriculum, which inspired him to pursue a Master's degree in Geography focusing on the social and ecological aspects of food systems. He then returned overseas, spending two years teaching agriculture in Indonesia and two years working in agricultural research and training in Ethiopia, after which Leslie returned to Canada, excited to engage with food issues more locally. Leslie now works for FoodShare Toronto, where he supports community-led food access initiatives, research, and advocacy. This work seeks to broaden conversations about food insecurity to include discussions of the many systems of oppression that hold it in place - systems like colonialism, capitalism, systemic racism, and patriarchy.  Click here for full bios. 

I love a good story. To me there's nothing quite like one. The weaving together of words and emotions to create pictures that run through our minds, but also that course through veins as we feel the excitements and tensions of our stories' characters. On this episode of In the House, Jenny Blackbird shares part of her story. She'll talk about what it was like for her as an Indigenous person going to school in Toronto and encountering the many institutions that have been used to marginalize Indigenous people throughout time. Jenny's is one story amongst many and it is important for us to gather and listen to the one and to the many. So welcome to this gathering place, pull up a chair, pour yourself something warm and take a listen to Jenny's story.  JENNY BLACKBIRDTwitter: @JennyBlackbird1Jenny Blackbird (Nehiyaw-Finnish/Canadian) is the Outreach Communications and Programming Coordinator Ciimaan/Kahuwe'ya/Qajaq Indigenous Language Initiative at the Centre for Indigenous Studies at University of Toronto, also working with the Learning and Community team at Hart House. Jenny is an M.Ed. student, a multidisciplinary artist, hand drummer, singer, fashion designer, and jingle dress dancer. She also volunteers at Aboriginal Legal Services as a community council member and advisory committee member, as well as a community Auntie for the Giiwedin Anang program. Jenny is also a 2019 IDERD award recipient. 

On this episode we connect with Martin Phills, who is a pioneer in the Toronto wellness space and whose work in fitness, and wellness more broadly, spans a period of over 20 years. Martin shares his journey, exculpates on the structures within the industry, and talks about the impact of Covid-19 on the fitness industry. Martin also offers encouraging words for Racialized people in fitness on how to keep going and growing. With Martin, every movement counts and everyone has a place. Check it out.  H.R. MARTIN PHILLSH. R. MARTIN PHILLS B.Sc. OFC, TT, RHEP-TFL, graduated from the University of Toronto in 1989 with a Bachelor's Degree in Molecular Genetics and Biology. He is a certified member of the Ontario Fitness Council, a member of IDEA, Supervisor of Group Fitness programming and currently a program advisor at the University of Toronto's Hart House and has been active in the fitness industry for over 30 years. As the owner of Toronto Fitness Associates, Martin has been connecting highly qualified fitness training professionals with individuals and small corporate clients and condominium boards since 1992. Martin's resistance training programs were conceived with the intention of providing the beginner with a broad-based, easy to follow methods of acquiring a strong grounding in the basics of weight training and providing intermediate to advanced exercisers with the ability to exceed their expectations. Martin was certified in the internationally recognized CIR1 (Certified Instructor Reformer Level 1) program at STOTT Pilates and has been delivering Pilates Reformer programming since September 2016. Martin's Pilates mat work experience goes back 25 years having studied various methods by Romana Kryzanowska, Ron Fletcher and Stott Pilates. RESOURCES SPOTIFY: The Core Conversations – Finding Joy with Martin Phills .007 PART1 on IGPART2 on IGJo-Ann James  https://vitalsteps.com/ Al Greene  linkedin.com/in/al-greene-8926aa25Kathy Grant  https://www.kathygrantpilates.com/AODA   https://www.aoda.ca/ Produced by: Ezi Odozor & Rebekah Robinson 

From sign language to box squats. From rivers to laughter rippling across vocal chords movement is integral to life. In this episode we explore movement and its connection to wellness. Which bodies are welcome in movement spaces? Who gets to be called an athlete? What's the connection between movement and race? Professor Janelle Joseph, Jahmeek Murray Taylor, Shanèl Dear, and Melissa Doldron take us on a journey of exploring the many ways in which we move.  DR. JANELLE JOSEPHDr. Janelle Joseph is an award-winning Assistant Professor in Critical Studies of Race in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. She is Founder and Director of the Indigeneity, Diaspora, Equity, and Anti-racism in Sport (IDEAS) Lab and author of the text Sport in the Black Atlantic: Cricket Canada and the Caribbean Diaspora. Dr Joseph's current research focuses on decolonizing sport studies, anti-racism movements among Black athletes and educators, and intersectionality within African diaspora physical cultures.   MELISSA DOLDRONIG: @melissad_rmt Melissa is a Registered Massage Therapist, member of the Canadian Sport Massage Therapists Association, SportStretch provider and Movement Educator. Aside from her clinical practice in Toronto, she also works with a variety of high performance athletes across MLB, NBA, NCAA and Track and Field. She also teaches yoga-informed movement classes throughout the year. She believes movement is medicine, and good recovery is the key to performance. A massive sports enthusiast, among running, cycling and yoga, watching baseball is her jam. When not on her bike or on her mat, you'll find her traveling to ball parks across North America in search of the perfect game. SHANEL DEARIG: @dearyoga_Shanèl Dear (She/Her) currently teaches movement and meditation  in the GTA  both virtually and in person. She is an advocate for removing barriers to wellness for all communities and runs various workshops on anti racism, sex positivity as well as body liberation.  She teaches from a body liberating, trauma informed and anti colonial lens. Her favorite part about teaching is connecting through breath and sharing a laugh. JAHMEEK MURRAY TAYLORIG: @jahjahbankswww.Alldayfit.com  PRODUCERS: Ezi Odozor & Rebekah Robinson 

In this conversation, we'll explore what it means to live in be well as racialized people in the face of a socially unwell world. Exploring questions of Indigeneity, of Motherhood, and of colonial realities, Erica Violet Lee, Marycarmen Lara-Villaneuva, and Tony Luong share their thoughts and research with us as we go in search of radical possibilities to recover Lands and freedoms that have been stolen. ERICA VIOLET LEETwitter and Instagram: @EricaVioletLee Erica Violet Lee is a Cree writer, scholar, and community organizer from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Her academic and organizing work focuses on urban Indigenous feminist political theory, including the intersections of dis/ability, queerness, and embodied freedoms. She holds a BA from the University of Saskatchewan and an MEd from OISE at the University of Toronto.TONY LUONGTony Luong is a Queer Asian Nonbinary artist and community storyweaver. Tony weaves stories together through performance art, podcasting, writing, and painting. As a recent graduate of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Tony has a strong interest in youth empowerment and prevention of sexual violence. Currently, Tony is the Anti-Trafficking Coordinator at the Canadian Council for Refugees, supporting community organizations and survivors of sexual violence to create positive changes that push our communities forward. Through working and creating art with the communities they are a part of and care deeply about, Tony is inspired by stories of love, liberation, connection, and healingMARYCARMEN LARA-VILLANUEVA Twitter: @Malas_Madres | IG: la_mala_madre_Marycarmen Lara-Villanueva is a Mexican-born motherscholar and PhD student based in Toronto. Anchored in anti-colonial and anti-racist theories, her research explores anti-Black racism in Mexico and how this is produced and learned in elementary schools through visuals. Her previous work looked at the intersection of race and gender in education and white women teachers' complicity in reproducing racism in Canadian classrooms.  Marycarmen is also an anti-racist educator and organizer with extensive experience doing anti-oppressive work with parents and caregivers. Her artistic work explores the complexities, nuances and injuries of motherhood and mothering and includes creative writing and visual art.  RESOURCESAll books should also be available through your public library [We love libraries]Articles can be found online or linked below. Idil Abdillahi & Rinaldo Walcott : BlackLife Eve Tuck: Suspending Damage: A Letter to Communitiesbell hooks:  all about love: new visionsSadiya Hartman : Wayward Lives, Beautiful ExperimentsAudre Lorde: Poetry is not a luxury 

In this Episode Dr. Jeffrey Ansloos, Suying Hugh, Dr. Josiah Osagie, and Melissa Fernandes help us explore the nuances of mental health and well being while honouring the contributions of Black, Indigenous, and Racialized people to the field and to the realization of well being more broadly. MELISSA FERNANDESMelissa Fernandes is a racialized settler on Turtle Island and an experienced student affairs professional with almost ten years of experience working across three post-secondary institutions in the realms health promotion, student mental health, and creating healthy campus environments. Melissa began their career working at McMaster University (circa 2011) in a role dedicated to student health education. In 2017, after receiving a Master's in Public Health, Melissa joined the University of Toronto's Health & Wellness Centre as a Health Education Coordinator. Here she steered projects such as Identify, Assist, Refer, and supported the office in developing its strategic plan. In 2018, while Melissa was working at U of T she also took on a position as a Faculty member at Fleming College teaching a health promotion and prevention course. Melissa has also been a safeTALK suicide alertness trainer for the past 8 years, worked as a health researcher specific to queer and trans* youth experiences, and volunteered/worked on a few different helplines related to mental health and sexual violence. Melissa is regarded as a knowledgeable colleague within the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services network and she is currently the Chair for the Division of Health Promoters within the Ontario University College Health Association. JEFFREY ANSLOOSDr. Jeffrey Ansloos is an Assistant Professor in Indigenous Health and Social Policy and the Canada Research Chair in Critical Studies in Indigenous Health and Social Action on Suicide at the University of Toronto. He is also the Chair of the Indigenous Education Network at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. He is a queer Cree psychologist of mixed Cree and English ancestry. His family comes from Fisher River Cree Nation. JOSIAH OSAGIEDr. Osagie is a resident physician in Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Prior to residency, he was a medical student at U of T and graduated as valedictorian of his class. He has a specific interest in the mental well-being of Black people and has worked to initiate curricular changes that better support the needs of Black patients seeking mental health care. Dr. Osagie strives for a practice that encompasses both the art and science of healing. SUYING HUGHSuying Hugh is the Program Manager for the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Toronto.   Suying has a bachelor's degree in international development studies and economics from the University of Toronto and a Masters Degree in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University.   Suying has been working at the University of Toronto with international students for over fifteen years.   Prior to this, Suying's experience includes, working as a research assistant at the Inter-American Development Bank on targeted social programs in Latin America and the Caribbean and working as a CUSO Cooperant in St. Lucia, West Indies.Producers: Ezi Odozor & Rebekah Robinson

On this Episode I'm joined by Olivia Allen who is the Membership Services and Recreation Program Facilitator at Hart House . Olivia is also a trained Art Therapist. Olivia Allen is a program facilitator working in recreation and wellness. She aims to create impactful and engaging programming that reflects the diverse University community. Olivia has developed adaptive programming for both youth and adults to provide opportunities to engage and participate in physical activity. Olivia has a strong interest in supporting student well being through movement and the creative arts. Olivia has a degree in design from OCADU and has a strong love of art, design, writing and podcasts. She is always thinking about creative ways to deliver programming.Art Therapy: Toronto Art Therapy Institute Canadian Art Therapy Association

Welcome to Living Well - In Conversation.I'm Ezi and on In Conversation I'll be joined by exciting panels of Indigenous, Black, and Racialized practitioners, researchers, and administrators who will give us their take on what it means to live and be well. Each episode will explore disruptive wellness related questions such as how can we be well in socially unwell worlds, who gets to be called an athlete, or what are the ways in which art and design contribute to the wellbeing of Racialized folks. Join me for this special programming brought to you by the Well Being Collective @ Hart House as we explore well being with our peoples in mind. https://harthouse.ca/wellbeing Music by: IG @razaqeltoro

Welcome to Living Well - In the HouseI'm Ezi and on each episode of In The House I'll be joined by a special guest from within this big ol' house – The University of Toronto. Join me as Indigenous, Black, and Racialized alumni, staff, faculty, and students share their work and talk about how they're contributing to the wellness space.  Interviews, stories, poems, excerpts from books; stay tuned for this special programming, brought to you by the Well Being Collective @ Hart House.Music by: Ezi Odozor