Race, Health & Happiness

On Saturday, September 23rd, 2023, The “Race, Health & Happiness” Podcast staged a live event at the Black Creek Community Health Centre in Toronto.  The theme was “Black Joy”.  Dr. O led the event with special guests, psychologist Natacha Pennycooke and musicologist John Devenish.  The programme also featured prerecorded segments by Dance/Movement therapist Maria “Mara” Rivera from New York City.Original RHH intern Jael Joseph was master of ceremonies, and the RHH Team was there to support the event including our showrunner Cam, research coordinator Tamika Latibeaudiere, and technical producers Xavier Oshinowo and D'Andre Dixon.Here's what it sounded like….Access our  Shownotes to uncover additional meaning!(https://bit.ly/rhhcarolinepeters6)Please support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of Toronto Metropolitan University.]   

Unbelievably, this is it!  After four seasons of The “Race, Health & Happiness”Podcast, we are shutting off the lights, locking the door, and saying goodbye for the last time.  We did our best to share knowledge, uplift people, and make “this racialized world” a little better.  But all good things must come to an end, and we know in our souls that now is the time to take a break, and then dream it all up again with some new and exciting ventures.Of the countless reasons we have to be grateful, it's the many people who supported the work of "Race, Health & Happiness" that mean the most to us.  RHH has sur-thrived because of the contributions of many, including:Camille (CAM) - Managing Producer & ShowrunnerObadiah George - Technical ProducerJael Joseph - Associate ProducerJordyn Gibson - Promotions CoordinatorJaviera-Violeta Duran Kairies - Logistics CoordinatorAwet Sium - Business Manager and VoiceoverTamika E. Latibeaudière - Research ConsultantCorrine Bent-Womack - Anti-Racism ConsultantLatoya Powell - Special Production ConsultantVeronica Ing - Graphic DesignGoldkeyz - Theme MusicDarrelle Carpentier - Voiceover ArtistAruna Dahanayake - LawyerLorraine Fleck - Legal consultantRay Fontaine - Strategy ConsultantDan Misener - Audience Development ConsultantSarah Martin - Podcasting ConsultantHannah Sung - Podcasting ConsultantFrançoise Makanda - Communications ConsultantSemipe Oni - Medical Student Sinthu Senthillmohan - Medical StudentXavier Oshinowo - Student InternAphiah McIntosh - Student InternAfua Mfwodo - Student InternD'Andre Dixon - Student InternRebecca Crawford - Student ContributorChantal Phillips - Student ContributorHelen Melon - Student ContributorFisayo Aruleba - Student ContributorMiranda McDermott - Student ContributorHappy Inibhunu - Student ContributorWe have had the pleasure of featuring outstanding guests on our RHH shows who have included:“Race, Health & Happiness”Ritu BhasinCelina Caesar-ChavannesRoberta K. Timothy. Ph.D.Akwatu KhentiDirector X (Operation Prefrontal Cortex)Kike Ojo-ThompsonVictoria ChanDr. Marcia AndersonKern CarterOlunike AdeliyiDr. Samir Shaheen-HussainTameika ShawGurneet DhamiTrey AnthonyCamille DundasPaul TaylorNouman AshrafAlica HallAngela CarterJael JosephKaryn S. PuglieseNaki Osutei (she/hers)Dalton HigginsElizabeth LeibaDr. Lulu, aka “The Momatrician”Bamby SalcedoNam KiwanukaNicole KanikiCaroline PetersQuinton RedcliffeMarlon PalmerD'Bi.Young AnitafrikaNatacha PennycookeJohn DevenishMaria “Mara” RiveraRHH on CampusD' Andre Dixon Hannah Boadu Malik Clarke Ilyas HusseinDr. Candice ToddDr. Upton AllenCelina Caesar-ChavannesGregory LeslieDonna AlexanderWe are also thankful for the organizations, institutions, and companies that have offered their financial and moral support to keep us operating:Bhasin Consulting Inc.University of TorontoToronto Metropolitan UniversityBlack Creek Community Health CentreCity of TorontoUnited Way Greater TorontoThe Black Health Alliance Finally, we are grateful to YOU, the listeners. Thanks to you RHH has evolved into a community dedicated to promoting equity, diversion, inclusion, justice and wellness. Here's wishing you continued Health & Happiness now and always!Thank you for listening, and we will talk with you soon,Dr. Karl KabaselePS - to continue to listen to our entire catalogue of episodes for free visit: http://www.RaceHealthHappiness.com

In this episode of “Race Health & Happiness” I speak with d'bi.young anitafrika, a multi-hyphenate, multi-dimensional, award-winning artist, performer, leader and dreamer with over 25 years of experience creating and performing around the world. In our conversation, d'bi shares about their journey as a creative committed to decolonization and liberation. They discuss the impact of classism on Black communities, and how harm and healing can co-exist in real timeListen in for an energizing conversation that celebrates resilience, reclamation and coming home to joy.                                                         - Dr. OAccess our  Shownotes to uncover additional meaning!(https://bit.ly/rhhcarolinepeters6)Please support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of Toronto Metropolitan University.]   

On today's episode I speak with Marlon Palmer, the Jamaican-Canadian comedian, podcaster, and content creator. With a mission to help people forget their problems, Marlon aims to bring joy and laughter to any environment he occupies. He talks about his journey to becoming a voice for Black Toronto culture and how he intends his work to create a ‘third space', or a place of rest for people to lay down the burdens of home and work.  Marlon and I discuss the power of art to push boundaries, and we touch on some of the pay equity disparities he experiences as a Black content creator. During this episode I promise that you will enjoy some good laughs, and discover how comedy has the power to both inspire necessary conversations, and bring comfort to the community at the same time.                               - Dr. OAccess our  Shownotes to uncover additional meaning!(https://bit.ly/rhhcarolinepeters6)Please support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of Toronto Metropolitan University.]   

This is episode two of a two part series of RHH on Campus. In this episode Xavier Oshinowo interviews Donna Alexander, a Social Worker, Mental Health Clinician, Advocate, and Consultant with 18-plus years of experience and mental health support about the impact of substance abuse on the Black community and the influence  SAPPACY has in the Ontario region. Access our Shownotes to uncover additional meaning!Please support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of Toronto Metropolitan University.] 

This episode of RHH is our third of a 3-part series on South Africa.  I speak with Quinton Redcliffe, a skilled facilitator, trainer, and educator from Cape Town, South Africa. He specializes in international education, intercultural communication and leadership training.  He has dedicated his career to working to find common ground among diverse populations, from his days working to topple the apartheid regime in the South Africa of his youth, to helping people deal with and overcome the legacy of institutionalized racism in his country and all over the world.  More recently Quinton has had the opportunity to expand his anti-racism work even further, following the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police in the United States.  From that tragedy the demand for racial reconciliation grew, and Quinton has worked hard to fill that gap through his work.In our conversation, Quinton talks about the explicit ways South Africa institutionalized racism. He highlights how apartheid dictated a person's fate from the cradle to the grave — where one was born, where they were allowed to live, and even where they were buried were all influenced by race with all of this exclusion being written into law. We also talk about the ways that the study of the system of apartheid can be used to learn how best to implement systems of resistance that include allyship, conflict resolution and knowledge exchange. Quinton's personal journey of resistance can help us to understand how to combat systems of oppression, both past and present                  - Dr. O.Access our  Shownotes to uncover additional meaning!(https://bit.ly/rhhcarolinepeters6)Please support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of Toronto Metropolitan University.]  

This is episode one of a two part series of RHH on Campus. In this episode Xavier Oshinowo interviews Gregory Leslie, a Social Worker, Psychotherapist, and Consultant with 20-plus years of experience and mental health support about the impact of gun violence on the Black community.Access our Shownotes to uncover additional meaning!Please support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of Toronto Metropolitan University.]

This episode of RHH is our second of a three-part series on South Africa.  I speak with Ms. Caroline Peters, a South African feminist and human rights defender and an award-winning activist against gender-based violence. Ms. Peters discusses her life and experiences living and working as a coloured woman in South Africa during the 90's. She tells me about the differences in discrimination between groups during apartheid, and her feelings about how she navigated those chapters in South African history. During our conversation she opens up about how she found, lost, and reclaimed her voice, and the painful obstacles that she had to overcome during the process. In her work today, she continues to raise awareness for gender based violence, working to serve, support, and uplift women fleeing violent relationships. Tune in to learn more about her story, history, and how we can participate in creating safer societies for women.                   - Dr. O.Access our  Shownotes to uncover additional meaning!(https://bit.ly/rhhcarolinepeters6)Please support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of Toronto Metropolitan University.]  

Get ready to embark on a captivating journey as the Race Health & Happiness podcast continues our international theme with an extraordinary 3-part series that unravels the rich tapestry of South Africa. My exploration led me to the vibrant city of Cape Town, where I had intriguing conversations about race in the South African context. But before I transport you to the heart of the Motherland, we kick off this exhilarating mini-series right here in Canada with an exceptional guest: Dr. Nicole Kaniki.Dr. Kaniki is an esteemed South African Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion professional and the visionary founder of Senomi Solutions Inc. In this episode Dr. Kaniki and I delve into the intricate complexities of race in South Africa, a place she describes as “a little Europe in Africa”.  She tells me about her “superpower” — the art of listening — and how it has shaped her work in the. Social justice space.  Additionally, she opens up about her personal experience growing up as a “coloured” person in South Africa, and eventually embracing her Black identity when she moved to North America.I invite you to immerse yourself in this captivating first episode of our three-part series, where you will gain a deeper understanding of South Africa. So please sit back, relax, and prepare to be enthralled by the inspiring narrative that awaits you. You won't want to miss it!                                       - Dr. OAccess our Shownotes to uncover additional meaning!(https://bit.ly/3OlCe0X)Please support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of Toronto Metropolitan University.]  

On the latest episode of Race Health and Happiness, Dr. O engages in a riveting conversation with esteemed Canadian journalist Nam Kiwanuka. Nam has had an impressive run on the Canadian public television network TVO as the co-host “The Agenda with Steve Paikin”, as the host of TVO's groundbreaking project “The Thread with Nam Kiwanuka”, and as the host of “The Agenda in the Summer”.  With that track record plus her years as a music journalist and documentarian, Nam is no stranger to the limelight and has firmly established herself as a Black Canadian media icon.In this inspiring episode of Race, Health & Happiness filled with stories of triumph and determination, Nam reveals her remarkable superpower of "letting things roll off her back." She fearlessly recounts how this extraordinary ability has empowered her to navigate hostile environments with persistence and grace. Nam also sheds light on her dynamic evolution as a person and journalist as she deftly adapted and surthrived despite the adversity she faced as a refugee from Uganda establishing a new life in Canada. Nam's life journey could fill the pages of a captivating best-selling book, and we are thrilled that she generously shares glimpses of it in this episode.Prepare to be elevated and enlightened by an extraordinary tale of resilience narrated by one of Canada's most exceptional and fiercely original journalists. Make sure to tune in and experience this unforgettable story. Access our Shownotes to uncover additional meaning!(http://bit.ly/3Mi9Vj7)Please support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of Toronto Metropolitan University.]  

Bamby Salcedo is known all over the world for her activism as the President and CEO of the TransLatin@ Coalition. In her conversation with Dr. O she talks about the courageous journey she took to live her life authentically and the risks and costs of living out this truth. As a transgender woman who was also an immigrant from Mexico in Los Angeles, she shares about the layered intersections of her experience that helped to develop her into the strong person she is today. The resilience and grit she cultivated over the course of her life helps her in her activism as she runs an organization dedicated to supporting people through the challenges of living while trans. Listen to this fascinating conversation for an inspiring story of following your calling. Access our Shownotes to uncover additional meaning!(http://bit.ly/3Mi9Vj7)Please support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of Toronto Metropolitan University.]  

Dr. O's guest for this episode is Dr. Lulu, aka “The Momatrician”. She is a Nigerian-born, board-certified pediatrician, a former lieutenant colonel and commander in the US Air Force, mother of three children, author of “How to Teach Your Children About Racism” and a two-time TEDx speaker.In this episode Dr. Lulu shares her story of coming of age in Nigeria, and talks about the mistakes that many parents make when they find themselves at a crossroads in their children's lives, dealing with. childhood trauma, LGBTQ+ acceptance and youth suicide prevention.An engaging and passionate guest, Dr. Lulu inspires us to examine the way we look at parenting. - Dr. O Access our Shownotes to uncover additional meaning!(http://bit.ly/3Mi9Vj7)Please support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of Toronto Metropolitan University.] 

On Part 3 of  RHH on Campus,  Xavier Oshinowo interviews Senior Advisor, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) Initiatives in the Faculty of Health Sciences , author of a new book, Can You Hear Me Now? How I Found My Voice and Learned to Live with Passion and Purpose  and member of the Black Scientist task force- Celina Caesar-Chavannes- about the impact of Covid 19 on Black Communities.Access our Shownotes to uncover additional meaning!Please support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of Toronto Metropolitan University.]

On Part 2. of  RHH on Campus,  Xavier Oshinowo interviews Head of the Division of Infectious Disease at the Hospital for Sick Children,  Professor of Paediatrics at U of T and member of the Black Scientist task force- Dr. Upton Allen- about the impact of Covid 19 on Black Communities.Access our Shownotes to uncover additional meaning!Please support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of Toronto Metropolitan University.]

On Part 1.  of RHH on Campus, Xavier Oshinowo interviews Naturopathic doctor and member of the Black Scientist task force-Dr. Candice Todd. During this episode Xavier and Dr. Todd discuss the impact of COVID-19 on Black Communities.Access our Shownotes to uncover additional meaning!Please support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of Toronto Metropolitan University.]

This is the first episode of “RHH On Campus”, where we pass the mic to Black students!!! In this episode Xavier Oshinowo, who is a Media Production student at Toronto Metropolitan University, interviews his peers. The conversations highlight four students' transitions from online to in-person schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic.[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of Toronto Metropolitan University.]

Season 4 of RHH is going to be an international journey, and we we start it off in the USA with our amazing sister, Elizabeth Leiba! She is a multimedia journalist of Jamaican descent living and working in Florida, where she has hosted numerous podcasts including “Black Power Moves” on the Ebony Podcast Network.  Leiba is also a professor who has spent more than a decade working in higher education, teaching advocacy at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She is the Director of Instructional Design and Innovation at City College in Hollywood, Florida, and the founder and course developer for The Black History and Culture Academy, an informative, engaging and immersive online Black history program. And Leiba is the author of a magnificent book about “surthrival” entitled “I'm Not Yelling: A Black Woman's Guide to Navigating the Workplace”. And as if all that were not enough, in 2020, she was recognized by the networking website LinkedIn as a “Top Voice in Education”.In this episode Elizabeth talks with me about her experience “Shopping While Black”, her unnerving experience with the police, what she learned about the legal system, and of course she shares with us her stories of overcoming and resilience.                                 - Dr. O Access our Shownotes to uncover additional meaning!(http://bit.ly/41gCYsw)Please support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of Toronto Metropolitan University.]

"I am a HUGE fan of centering Black Joy during the holidays! As an antidote to the materialism, colonial social structures, and more recently the pandemic-related isolation, I think it's important to celebrate with friends and loved ones, good food, and good music, all grounded in our rich cultural traditions.In this special episode of the “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast I sit down with my Senior Producer Dr. Karl Kabasele to share memories of holidays past, and to discuss how we can all find joy, connection, and rejuvenation during this festive season.  However you celebrate, whether you embrace a religious or cultural tradition or not, there is room for everyone around our RHH holiday table!At the end of the show we also take a look at the future of RHH and our plans to expand the role of our BIPOC journalism and production students as we prepare to launch Season 4 in February of 2023.On behalf of the whole RHH Family, here's wishing you Health & Happiness now and into the New Year!”                                  - Dr. O Access our shownotes to uncover additional meaning!(https://tinyurl.com/rhhtdnakio)Please support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of Toronto Metropolitan University.]

On this episode I speak with Dalton Higgins, an African-Canadian self-proclaimed multi-hyphenate. He is a PR strategist and publicist, author of six books, festival producer and National Magazine Award winning journalist. Dalton teaches a course called 'Deconstructing Drake, and The Weeknd' as a part of Toronto Metropolitan University's Professional Music BFA program. Dalton is also the author of the definitive biography of rap icon Drake entitled, 'Far From Over: The Music and Life of Drake', which is part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum collection in the U.S. Dalton has been a script writer for the Juno Awards ceremony for Canadian music, and a former member of the Racial Equity Advisory Committee for The Canada Council for the Arts. Additionally, Dalton is the host of one of my personal favourite podcasts, ‘Black Tea', which was created for and by Black Canadians, where they dig into Black culture, news and sports. In this episode of RHH we discuss topics like Black entrepreneurship, tokenism, challenging the status quo as minorities, and the incredible healing powers of music.       -  Dr. O Access our shownotes to uncover additional meaning!(https://tinyurl.com/rhhtdnakio)Please support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of Toronto Metropolitan University.]

DESCRIPTION:My guest for this episode is Naki Osutei, a Ghanian-born Canadian woman, and the Vice President of Strategy, Colleague Experience and Environmental Social Governance at the multinational bank and financial services corporation, TD Canada Trust. Naki has helped to develop the “TD Ready Commitment”, TD's global citizenship platforms that assist in providing grants to community-based organizations. Additionally, she co-chairs the Black Employee Network and she is a member of the Black Executive Steering Committee at TD. Naki is also the founder of Next Level Presence, a boutique coaching consultancy, which produces the podcast “Presence by Naki O”. And she was appointed Executive in Residence at Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto in 2021.In this episode we have an open, honest and sometimes painful conversation on a range of topics including overcoming racial isolation, stereotyping, “respectability politics”, assimilation, and redefining “diplomacy”.  And through it all Naki inspires us even as she shares her pain, and she maintains her sense of humour — we shared some good laughs!  Naki truly has a compelling story of overcoming and “sur-thriving”, despite the challenges.       -  Dr. O Access our shownotes to uncover additional meaning! (https://tinyurl.com/rhhtdnakio) Please support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of Toronto Metropolitan University.]

“My guest for this episode is Karyn Pugliese, who is a Canadian broadcast journalist and communication specialist of Algonquin and Italian descent. Karen is the current Executive Director of the publication “Canada's National Observer”. Previously, she was the managing editor of investigations at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), and the executive director of news and current affairs at the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN). She received the 2022 National Newspaper Award in the “Columns” category for three powerful pieces written after the discovery of unmarked graves on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian residential school.We talk about speaking truth to power, the trauma of residential schools, writing with love and Black & Indigenous solidarity.”                               - Dr. OAccess our shownotes to uncover additional meaning! (https://bit.ly/3rbsmu3)Please support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of Toronto Metropolitan University.]

“For this episode of the RHH podcast, we are bringing you a throwback, and it's the very popular episode from Season 2 featuring Kike Ojo-Thompson.  The reason we are doing this encore presentation is because we know that so many of you are heading back to the workplace or back into the classroom, and what she has is the ultimate advice on knowing how to succeed and understanding the game board you're playing on, especially as a Black person.  And so we are bringing it back, this gem of an episode with my girl Kike!Kike's mission is to transform institutions and work cultures into more equitable spaces.  Our conversation explores the tensions and intersections of Black identity within Black communities.  Then we delve into the double discrimination faced by Black women called “Misogynoir”, and finally tips for staying healthy and raising resilient Black children.I love this conversation.  I hope you do too.”    - Dr. OAccess our shownotes to uncover additional meaning! (bit.ly/rhhs2e1)Please support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of Toronto Metropolitan University.]

In this special episode of Race, Health & Happiness, we are profiling one of our star interns, Jael Joseph. And as a super special treat I've also got our senior producer Dr. Karl on the mic, since he plays an important role supervising and working with our students.So… as y'all know, our podcast team is comprised of Black and BIPOC volunteer students and paid interns. Our distinguished guest Jael was our first intern, and she did such a wonderful job that a year later she was promoted to Associate Producer!  She is so talented and a bright light on our team so we decided y'all should meet her! Jael is a media producer, emcee and influencer born in Dominica. Even before becoming a student at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson) she had over 10 years of experience in radio as an on-air personality and program coordinator. She is the first Black woman to be the recipient of the Faulhaber Communications Award for women aspiring to be a senior leader in communications. AND She is just wrapping up her master's degree in Media Production. During our conversation we talk about Jael's experience as an intern on RHH, the challenges she faced as a Black female immigrant student in North America, and the importance of knowing your worth and demanding that it be respected!      -  Dr. O View our ShowNotes for more information -   https://bit.ly/3Bl3iXZ Please support us on Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of United Way Greater Toronto, and the help of Toronto Metropolitan University, the school formerly known as Ryerson] 

 This is the second of a two-part series.  See S03E04 for Part 1, entitled “Protecting Ourselves” In this episode, we will continue what we started in Episode 4, where I interviewed EDI leader Nouman Ashraf, and we focused on protective factors that can shield us from some of the harms of systemic racism. In that episode we reflected on Nouman's own journey and how factors like self-love, cultural pride, cultural fluency were protective for him, and I talked about the importance of taking a mindful moment when you are triggered. This episode is about the power of the community organizations that create “protective spaces” for us. I think we don't always realize the power and protection we get in groups - there is a reason for the saying ‘united we stand' – it's just harder to knock us down when we are a collective. As two case examples of this, I spoke to the leaders of the NIA Center for the Arts in Toronto and Roots Community Services in the Greater Toronto Area. Both of these centers provide 4 protective factors that I want to highlight: 1) they provide a sense of belonging, 2) foster a sense of joy, 3) empower their members and 4) cultivate collective self-determination. All are antidotes to the poison of systemic racism and other structural forms of discrimination. I'm going to guide you through the journeys of their organizations, the challenges, the programs they offer and the success stories from these protective spaces.      -  Dr. O View our ShowNotes for more information -  https://bit.ly/3y3TNsN Please support us on Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of United Way Greater Toronto, and the help of Toronto Metropolitan University, the school formerly known as Ryerson]

In this episode, Dr. O speaks with Nouman Ashraf, Assistant Professor at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. As a leader in the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion space he has spent a lot of his time thinking and teaching about how leadership can be a tool to promote social equity.In this wide-ranging conversation, Nouman discusses what growing up in multiple parts of the world taught him about navigating multi-cultural spaces.  He explains how his understanding of diversity has been a protective factor in his life, particularly against systemic racism.  And then Dr. O digs a little deeper into how we can all curate these protective factors in our own lives.Dr. O was so deeply affected by this conversation that she was inspired to include a Mindful Moment in this episode, where she shares some of her own experiences as a Black woman trying to deal with the “misogynoir” that she has to face every day.This is the first of a two-part series. In the upcoming Episode 5, Dr. O brings on community leaders who will talk about how we protect ourselves as a community from the harms of racism. View our ShowNotes for more information - https://bit.ly/3PBCuaNPlease support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of United Way Greater Toronto, and the help of “University X”, the school formerly known as Ryerson] 

In this episode Dr. O speaks with anti-poverty activist Paul Taylor.  He is the Executive Director of FoodShare Toronto, an organization that focuses on the connections between food, social justice and community engagement.Paul opens up about his experience with poverty and how it was critical in his journey. He talks about his mother's love and resilience that inspired him to do purposeful work in challenging racial settings.  Paul and Dr. O analyze institutional discrimination and inequalities in the key determinants of health, education, income, and housing.  Paul also talks about how Black and white populations in Canada differ in their vulnerability to household food insecurity.  This episodes includes a lesson on the goals and benefits of racial caucusing, and how it creates spaces and inclusivity for people of color (PoC).View our ShowNotes for more information - https://bit.ly/3OhweEePlease support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/RaceHealthHappy[The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of United Way Greater Toronto, and the help of “University X”, the school formerly known as Ryerson]

In this episode I speak with Camille Dundas, the Editor-in-Chief of Canada's largest Black online magazine ByBlacks.com and a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant specializing in anti-racism education.We had an incisive conversation where Camille talks about centering herself in her identity after years of running away from it.  She opens up about a traumatizing racist incident that happened to her in broad daylight in Ottawa. She also discusses anti-Black racism in media, and how going to school in the Caribbean taught her about excellence and expecting more from herself.Real talk:  Before we spoke I was a little nervous to be interviewing Camille because she is a GIANT in journalism! But I just took a deep calming breath and then we dug deep into racism in media, the plight of “diversity hires” and even touched on our experiences with wearing weaves!!! Yasss! This episode of the “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is pure fiya

In the Season 3 premiere of the “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast, Dr. O is in conversation with Trey Anthony, the award-winning writer, television star, motivational speaker and mentor.In their discussion, Trey opens up about her journey with depression and how she maintains her mental health.  She talks about her success in the entertainment business, and why this left her with deep feelings of guilt.  She shares how she learned to stop trying to do everything herself and how working with her team helps her to prioritize self-care and wellness.  And she speaks about walking in her purpose and how we can all do the same![The “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast is produced with the support of United Way Greater Toronto]View our ShowNotes for more information. [https://bit.ly/3DkKfeu]

In this special episode of “Race, Health & Happiness” we are talking about — FOOD!  To complete the menu I've got two guests.  First I speak with registered dietitian Tameika Shaw, who tells us about how she works with members of communities that are experiencing oppression, and helps them find ways to eat healthy authentic food, with a joyful spirit!  After that I speak with graduate student Gurneet Dhami, who tells us about the creative resistance that is happening in the field of dietetics. Both of my guests are thriving in a field that has a history of both excluding BIPOC people, and reinforcing the racist notion that European food is somehow healthier or superior to other foods. Despite this, these two women of color are making magic in the margins, and how sweet it is! We even recorded part of this episode in Tameika's kitchen! You may need to get a snack as you listen to this one … Bon appetit!                                                      - Dr. OView our ShowNotes for more information. [https://bit.ly/3DkKfeu]

The last time we featured Celina Caesar-Chavannes on the “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast was way back in 2019, when we were preparing to launch the first season of the show.  At the time Celina was an elected Member of Canadian Parliament, and she was fierce and outspoken about who she was, and the issues that she cared about.  From the outside, it would have seemed that she was on top of the world.  But that just wasn't the case, the truth was much more nuanced, and even ugly, as you will hear in this episode.  Being in the political sphere broke Celina down, and she eventually decided to leave politics and rebuild her spirit.  Celina went on to write a book about her experiences, (https://www.celinacc.ca/book/) after reading it I wondered, how is Celina doing today?  How does she reconcile all that has happened in the past couple of years?  So I decided to give Celina a call, and the first part of this episode is that conversation.The second part of this special episode is a "Race, Health & Happiness" throwback! It's my original interview with Celina from October 2019, after she had left the Canadian liberal party. We decided to bring back this gem after yet another Black woman, Annamie Paul resigned as the leader of the Green Party this year. A troubling but empowering pattern of Black women saying enough is enough. There is healing and wisdom in that so we're bringing it back!                                                                                               - Dr. OView our ShowNotes for more information. [https://bit.ly/3DkKfeu]

"In this special episode I speak to my friend and medical colleague Dr. Samir Shaheen-Hussain.  He is the author of the book, “Fighting for A Hand to Hold: Confronting Medical Colonialism against Indigenous Children in Canada”. His book is a powerful example of solidarity and truth telling in medicine. Of note, this episode was recorded before the revelation of the horrific Kamloops residential school burial site, and before the release of the public inquiry into the death of Indigenous patient, woman and mother, Joyce Echaquan. Details of these tragedies are in the ShowNotes, as well as how you can purchase a copy of this book. All author royalties from sales of this book go directly to initiatives that support or are led by Indigenous communities.                                                       - Dr. O"View our ShowNotes for more information. [https://bit.ly/3CZVbO9]

Welcome to Season 2 of The “Race, Health & Happiness” Podcast!  This season is about “Game Changers”, people who are dismantling institutional racism in their own fields, teaching us how to do it, or how to support it, while we thrive.In this episode, I speak with Olunike Adeliyi, the Canadian actress, activist and philanthropist that many of you will know from her roles in the TV shows “Workin' Moms”, “American Gods” and “Coroner”.  We really connected as sisters of African and Caribbean heritage during our wide-ranging discussion about self care, Olunike's experiences navigating the acting world as a Black woman, and dealing with racism and colorism in everyday life.Olunike has not only survived but she has surTHRIVED in her career and in her life, thanks to a strength, resilience and centeredness that really comes through in this conversation.  I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed connecting with my friend, Olunike.                                                                                                    ⁃Dr. O***View our ShowNotes for more information. [https://bit.ly/rhh0205]

Welcome to Season 2 of The “Race, Health & Happiness” Podcast!  This season is about “Game Changers”, people who are dismantling institutional racism in their own fields, teaching us how to do it, or how to support it, while we thrive.In this episode, I speak with author and "ghostwriter" Kern Carter about the strategies he has used to create his own path in the publishing industry, where institutional racism is alive and well but HE is coming out on top! This episode has great lessons and nourishment for the mind.  ⁃ Dr. O***View our ShowNotes for more information. [https://bit.ly/rhh0204f]

In this bonus episode Dr O. and Dr. Marcia Anderson talk about radical self-care.  The conversation with Dr. Anderson about Indigenous health began with RHH S02 E03, which you can listen to here:  [https://bit.ly/rhhs02e03]African American poet Audre Lorde taught us about wellness, saying:   “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”Please note that this episode was recorded before the recent traumatizing discovery of hundreds of unmarked Indigenous children's graves on the grounds of some historical Canadian ‘residential schools'.  But we hope this review of radical self-care will be helpful to everyone coping with the heartbreaking realities of our world. Healing is resistance.                                              Dr. O* * *S02 E03 Episode 3 Dr. Marcia Anderson discusses indigenous racism in health care [https://bit.ly/rhhs02e03]S02 E03 ShowNotes  [https://bit.ly/3vrT5lV]

Welcome to Season 2 of the “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast: GAME CHANGERS. In this episode, I interview my girl and colleague Dr. Marcia Anderson – Indigenous woman, mother, physician, advocate, scholar, FEMME and just PURE FIYA!!We dive into the impacts of colonization and her own experiences of anti-Indigenous racism in healthcare. Although this was recorded before the tragic unearthing of Indigenous children's remains in Kamloops BC, the approaches to healing she describes here can be applied to overcoming almost any form of racial trauma. So I hope it is helpful to everyone directly and indirectly affected by this act of structural violence. And stay tuned in the coming days– we will be releasing a bonus episode that we recorded together, where we do a deep dive into “radical self-care”.  So buckle up, here we go!                                         Dr. OAccess our Show Notes to discover additional meaning

Welcome to Season 2 of the “Race, Health & Happiness” podcast: GAME CHANGERS. In this episode, I'm interviewing Victoria Chan, a journalist who is disrupting and dismantling stereotypes about East-Asian people and communities. In July 2020, I read one of Victoria's articles which started like this:  “In the midst of a pandemic — and perhaps, because of it — Chinese Canadians find themselves on both sides of the racism dynamic: as victims of targeted attacks and perpetrators of anti-Black sentiment. ”  YESSSSSSSS….That's still true and incredibly sticky for me as a Black woman, so I'm happy that Victoria agreed to be on the podcast so we could unpack this topic together.  Personally, I am always trying to stand in solidarity with my friends, patients and learners experiencing direct or vicarious trauma from anti-East Asian violence. I've attended webinars talking about the anti-East Asian sentiment, including where panelists have disregarded their own privilege and the existence of the “Model Minority Myth”. This was hard to swallow when the Chinese Model Minority Myth is often weaponized and used against other racialized groups like Black communities to undermine our own struggles.  But I never spoke up in these spaces because this is soooooo messy, and involves a good grasp of positionality, oppression, privilege and loss of safety for East Asian communities. So that's why I had to speak to Victoria after I read that article she wrote.  She and I discussed anti-Black racism, and dove into layers of anti-East Asian racism like “Yellow Peril”, model minority, the “Bamboo Ceiling” and the tensions of white adjacency.  This episode is about untangling the complex weave of oppression and the illusion of belonging within a white supremacist hierarchy. Damn!           Dr. OVictoria Chan's article:If You Hate Anti-Chinese Racism, You Should Hate Anti-Black Racism, Too -  (http://bit.ly/vc_article)Access our ShowNotes to discover additional meaning. (http://bit.ly/rhhs2e2)Victoria's headshot by @Trucreates

“Welcome to Season 2 of The “Race, Health & Happiness” Podcast!  This season is about “Game Changers”, people who are dismantling institutional racism in their own fields, teaching us how to do it, or how to support it, while we thrive.In this episode I speak with Diversity and Inclusion Consultant Kike Ojo-Thompson, whose mission is to transform institutions and work cultures into more equitable spaces.  Our conversation explores the tensions and intersections of Black identity within Black communities.  Then we delve into the double discrimination faced by Black women called “Misogynoir”, and finally tips for staying healthy and raising resilient Black children.I love this conversation.  I hope you do too.”- Dr. OAccess our shownotes to uncover additional meaning! (bit.ly/rhhs2e1)

In preparation for Season 2 of RaceHealthHappy.com, we decided to revisit Season 1 of the show one last time.  Looking back with "2020 Hindsight" at a difficult year we were reminded that the conversations Dr. O had with her guests are still relevant as we continue to explore how to thrive and stay well in a racialized world.  You can enjoy all of the episodes of RHH's Season 1 at http://www.RaceHealthHappiness.com or wherever you get your podcasts.And stay tuned for "Race, Health & Happiness Season 2: Game Changers", debuting on March 31st, 2021.

Dr. O speaks with Director X, internationally acclaimed film and music video director, about the night he got shot, how he wants to use brain science to address gun violence, and why he is not getting support from his friends in the hip-hop community.Shownotes - https://bit.ly/3aTTbdx

Dr. O speaks with researcher and community leader Akwatu Khenti, PhD about how he uses the power of optimism, rooted in his African and Trinidadian heritage, to overcome adversity in his life. Dr. Khenti also talks about the real causes of gun violence in Black communities, including systemic racism and systems of oppression.Show Notes - bit.ly/2D6JxHX

"Dr. O speaks with professor and Black community advocate Dr. Roberta K. Timothy, about how her connection with her African ancestry helps her to survive and overcome Anti-Black Racism and stay mentally healthy.  Dr. Timothy also talks about the impacts of racism on growing minds, the importance of community support and therapy, and why she needs to be surrounded by her people to feel invigorated."Shownotes - bit.ly/2Vm73qv

Dr. O speaks with Celina Caesar-Chavannes, mental health advocate and former member of  Canadian parliament, about her journey to find her place at the professional table, the importance of “showing up” for herself and her community, and how she learned to tap into the strength of her Inner Child.ShowNotes - bit.ly/2RbjVgURHHE02

Dr. O speaks with lawyer, author and inclusion specialist Ritu Bhasin, about finding your authentic self, growing up caught between cultures — and how staying healthy can be a revolutionary act.Please see additional Show Notes.(http://bit.ly/2TXfbvORHH01)

Dr. O and Dr. Karl Kabasele discuss the origins of the podcast.Please see additional Show Notes.(http://bit.ly/3cKtA7eRHHE00)