Raw Talk Podcast

Humanitarian crises from around the world, attributed to various causes such as war and climate change, have resulted in the displacement of millions of people worldwide. Some of these displaced individuals journey to other countries, such as Canada, to settle and start new lives. However, a refugee's journey doesn't end once they arrive in their new home, they must navigate a new system to access housing, healthcare, and education, while potentially facing numerous barriers along the way. In this episode of Raw Talk, we interview experts to gain a Canadian perspective on the unique health experience of refugees, and the resettlement process for refugees living in Canada. Steve Meagher discusses who refugees are and the barriers they face to accessing healthcare services in Canada. Dr. Praseedha Janakiram sheds light on the diversity of refugees and their journeys from leaving their homeland to settling into a new life. Dr. Meb Rashid speaks to the routine health issues that refugee families face and how primary and community healthcare is tailored to those needs. Centre for Refugee Children Women's College Hospital Crossroads Clinic The Toronto Addis Ababa Academic Collaboration (TAAAC) The Canadian Collaborative Mental Health Care Conference - Dr. Janakiram speaking Christie Refugee Welcome Centre Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture

Have you ever wondered how the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) decides what substances are banned in professional sport? Or what it's like to get tested for prohibited substances? In this episode of Raw Talk, we interview experts on anti-doping and the use of performance enhancing drugs. James Fitzgerald explains the many tools that WADA uses to combat doping in sport, from dried blood spot analysis to machine learning. We also speak to two Canadian Olympic athletes, Evan Dunfee and Maddy Kelly, about their experiences getting tested, what kinds of pressures they felt to perform, and the tainted beef controversy. Lastly, Dr. Dean St. Mart tells us about the health risks of steroids - in the context of bodybuilding - from androgen receptors to “blasting and cruising”, and explores whether its possible to use such performance enhancing drugs safely. We hope you enjoy the expertise and diverse perspectives our fascinating guests shared with us on this week's episode. World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Global Drug Reference Online (Global DRO) Yes, Evan Dunfee is the Kraft Dinner guy Supplement Needs

Post-graduate education. This is where students learn the joy and importance of scientific discoveries and advancement firsthand. This is also where students face realities of research and of adulthood all at once. In today's episode, we have a roundtable discussion to exchange views on our hopes and struggles as a graduate student. From sharing our unique stories, we see common themes such as building a healthy relationship with our supervisor, networking with peers, managing stress from the recent COVID-19 pandemic, and coping with failure to prevent burnout. Our fellow graduate student Samantha Ing-Esteves, the founder of the Graduate Representation Committee (GRC) in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at University of Toronto, also joins us and speaks to the data collected by GRC representing our financial struggles. Sam also explains to us how GRC strives to advocate for domestic and international graduate students. From the good, the bad, and the ugly, we gain rich learning experiences as a graduate student and continue to contribute to science the best we can. The struggle is real, but so is the adventure. We have fun together, we support each other, and we grow stronger. And most importantly, we keep it raw. GRC Student Finance and Living Survey 2021-2022 GRC Student Finance and Living Report 2019 U of T Community of Support Tips and Secrets to Choosing your IMS Courses 100 Reasons Not to Go to Graduate School

The Human Genome Project -- to sequence all genes in human DNA -- took over a decade and about $5 billion dollars to complete. Today, we can get the same results in 2 months for about $5000, or even over a weekend if we really need it. As a result, more and more people have access to genetic testing. For many families affected by inheritable conditions, these tests can be invaluable. But is this the precision medicine revolution we've been promised? In this episode of Raw Talk Podcast, we gather experts in genetic testing and genetic counselling to find out. We'll explore what genetic testing really looks like, what the results can mean for families, and learn about the growing field of genetic counselling. First, we spoke with Dr. Raymond Kim, medical geneticist at the University Health Network, who told us about the history and future trajectory of medical genetics. We also sat down with genetic counsellors Stacy Hewson and Laura Zahavich, who direct and lecture for the genetic counselling master's program here at the University of Toronto; they shared with us their challenging but rewarding experiences supporting families to order, interpret, and process genetic tests. Finally, we heard from Huntington's Disease researcher and carrier Dr. Jeff Carroll, who shared his story with genetic testing personally and while family planning. We hope to shed a light on the exciting fields of medical genetics and genetic counselling, and the growing number of genetic tools that might truly revolutionize healthcare as we know it. Dr. Raymond Kim - Webpage Stacy Hewson - Webpage Laura Zahavich - Webpage Jeff Carroll - Webpage University of Toronto MSc in Genetic Counselling Program Article - Prioritizing diversity in human genomics research gnomAD: Genome Aggregation Database Raw Talk Podcast - Season 5 Listener Survey

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) was legalized in Canada in 2016 under Bill C-14 after decades of public dialogue and debate. This episode takes a deep dive into MAiD, the death and dying experience, and what these mean to patients, families, care providers, and others involved in the health system. We had the pleasure to sit down with and learn from Sally Bean, Director of Policy and Ethics at Sunnybrook Hospital; Dr. Madeline Li, Psychiatrist and Lead of the Psycho-social Oncology Division, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre; Dr. Ahmed Al-Awamer, Palliative Care Physician and Director of Postgraduate Medical Education, University Health Network; and Steve Legere, a patient diagnosed with incurable cancer who has been approved for MAiD, and his partner, Christine Legere. Each of these individuals takes us through a different aspect of living and dying at the end of life and how MAiD has impacted their respective lives and professional roles. Please note, this podcast discusses topics of death and dying and may be triggering for some listeners. Canada’s new medical assistance in dying (MAID) law Madeline Li’s Maclean’s article Article: Medical Assistance in Dying — Implementing a Hospital-Based Program in Canada

For many people, childhood memories hold a special place in our hearts. Childhood experiences also impact our journey through life, shaping our personality, relationships, and conceptions of right and wrong. But not all childhood memories are bright, and many children suffer significant trauma through maltreatment by family members or other trusted adults. In this episode, we explore the difficult topic of child maltreatment with the help of our esteemed guests. First, Dr. Tracie Afifi, a Professor in Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba, describes the scope of child maltreatment in Canada, and describes intervention and prevention strategies. Next, Dr. Robert T. Muller, a Clinical Psychologist, Professor of Psychology at York University, and bestselling author on trauma therapy, tells us about the goals, pitfalls, and successful strategies in psychotherapy for patients with childhood trauma. Finally, Dr. Katreena Scott, an Associate Professor and Clinical Psychologist at the University of Toronto, explores the complex familial contexts in which child maltreatment can arise, and describes the unique intervention program she and her team have pioneered to help break the cycle. Local Children's Aid Societies (Ontario) Profile - Dr. Tracie Afifi Profile - Dr. Robert T. Muller Profile - Dr. Katreena Scott Book - Trauma and the Struggle to Open Up: From Avoidance to Recovery and Growth Book - Trauma and the Avoidant Client: Attachment-Based Strategies for Healing Caring Dads Adverse Childhood Experiences Global look at Child Maltreatment (WHO) Child Maltreatment in Canada Indigenous people and Child Maltreatment

Since their discovery in the 1920’s, antibiotics have allowed the field of medicine to make leaps and bounds in innovation. The ability to treat bacterial infections reliably and effectively have made transplant surgeries, cancer chemotherapy, and treating what were once considered deadly infections, like pneumonia, a routine part of our health care. However, antibiotic resistance can occur when the bacteria being targeted change in response and render the antibiotic ineffective. Antibiotic resistance is a global threat and there are concerns that by the year 2050, antibiotic resistant infections could cause more than 10 million deaths annually. In this episode, we explore the drivers of antibiotic resistance around the world and speak to researchers tackling this issue through their research on innovative therapies and solutions. First, Dr. Thomas Van Boeckel explains the major driving forces and global trends in development of antibiotic resistance and system wide policy level changes required to tackle the threat. Dr. Erin Duffy takes us through the innovative work being done at CARB-X, a non-profit initiative to accelerate research in the field globally. Finally, Chidozie Ojobor from the University of Toronto, talks to us about his research on tailocins, a promising new technology he is researching for combating antibiotic resistant bacteria. CDC antibiotic resistance threat report, 2.8 million AR cases each year in the USAGlobal trends in antimicrobial resistance in animals in low- and middle-income countriesDr. Van Boeckel’s university profile page Antimicrobial Resistance: Tackling a crisis for the health and wealth of nationsCARB-X portfolioDavidson Lab at UofT

Pharmaceutical drugs are a pillar of modern healthcare - from preventative medicines to life-saving therapies. We therefore rely on pharmaceutical companies to discover, develop, and deliver new drugs to patients in need. We know that this process is both risky and expensive, but does that justify the drug prices we see in Canada today? Who decides what’s a fair drug price anyways? And what is the role of academic science in this whole operation? Join us as we answer these questions and more, with our expert guests: Dr Alison Symington, consultant with Life Sciences Ontario, describes the process of drug discovery and the relationships between academia and industry. Dr. Wong-Rieger, President and CEO of Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders, describes the challenges faced by individuals with rare diseases. Dr. Nigel Rawson, Senior Fellow with the Fraser Institute, introduces us to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board and their upcoming changes. Finally, Dr. Joel Lexchin, Emergency physician at the University Health Network and Canadian drug policy expert, explains some of the challenges to setting fair drug prices in Canada. Profile - Dr. Alison Symington Profile - Dr. Durhane Wong-Rieger Profile - Dr. Nigel Rawson Profile - Dr. Joel Lexchin Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) Proposed PMPRB changes Canada Pharmacare Act (Bill C-213) Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders (CORD) Innovative Medicines Canada Article - academic vs industry for drug discovery Drug Discovery @ U of T

Many factors including income, food security, or housing can have a huge contribution to our health. These are known as the social determinants of health (SDoH). In this episode, we discuss some common SDoH, how they impact our health, and what some leading physicians are doing to tackle the issue. Our guests, Dr. Andrew Boozary, Dr. Andrew Pinto, and Dr. Kate Mulligan discuss topics such as, the  teaching of SDoH in the medical curriculum, how the SDoH have been exacerbated with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as current and future efforts to address the SDoH and decrease the associated health disparities. All of our guests are actively working to change our health system and the way we provide care to improve the health disparities we see in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and beyond. Dr. Andrew Boozary’s Twitter Dr. Kate Mulligan’s Twitter Dr. Andrew Pinto’s Twitter Upstream Lab Social Medicine at UHN as reported by Toronto Star Public Health Ontario’s report on SDoH in COVID19

Like so many institutions, anti-Black racism continues to pervade the healthcare system—rarely in overt, obvious ways, but in ways that undeniably lead to worse health outcomes for Black communities. In this episode, we discuss the uncomfortable truths of anti-Black racism in healthcare, and what we can do about it. We hear from Dr. Sean Wharton, Medical Director of the Wharton Medical Clinic, Internist, and Adjunct Professor at McMaster University and York University, about his experiences in the hblealthcare system, as a trainee, physician, and researcher. He discusses the roots of racist systems, and the impacts of subconscious biases on both the provision and receipt of patient care. As the founder of the Black Medical Students’ Association, he describes how the unique needs of different trainee and patient populations must be recognized and addressed if we hope to provide equitable care. We also spoke with Jessica Goncalves, a nursing student and the first Black President of the Nursing Undergraduate Society at the University of Toronto. She tells us about the labelling that begins long before members of the Black community enter health professions, and the importance of diverse representation within such professions. We hope that you are inspired—as we are—by our guests, to continue conversations, advocacy, and actions in the pursuit of health equity. Dr. Wharton - Wharton Medical Clinic Dr. Wharton - Feature UofT Temerty Faculty of Medicine Dr. Wharton - Inaugural Lecture in Black Health for City-Wide Medical Grand Rounds Jessica Gonclaves - President of the Nursing Undergraduate Society Resource - The Implicit Project Article - The Effect of Race and Sex on Physicians' Recommendations for Cardiac Catheterization Resource - Anti-Racism Resources Article - For our White Friends Desiring to be Allies Book - So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo Book - How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi Book - Black and Blue: The Origins and Consequences of Medical Racism by John Hoberman Event - Black Physicians Association of Ontario Annual Health Symposium (Feb 27, 2021) Organization - Black Physicians of Canada Organization - U of T Black Medical Students Association

Vaccine technology has come a long way in terms of safety and understanding the underlying immunological principles. The first vaccine that was made was against smallpox in the late 18th century. Since then, vaccines have become the key tool in fighting against infectious diseases that have affected humans for centuries, including chickenpox, measles, and polio. But as the world prepares for the largest mass vaccination campaign in history with the COVID19 vaccines, there are many people that are somewhat hesitant about the vaccination process but are curious to learn more. The emergence of mRNA vaccines has allowed for the fastest development of a vaccine in history and could be a sign of what’s to come in the future. In this episode, we talk about the COVID19 mRNA vaccine with the co-founder of Moderna, Dr. Derrick Rossi and about how mRNA can be used in personalized cancer vaccines with Providence Therapeutics’ Chief Development officer, Dr. Natalia Martin Orozco. We look back at the history of vaccine development with Dr. Christopher Rutty. Finally, We also speak with Dr. Nicole Charles to explore the complexity of vaccine hesitancy in marginalized communities. Connaught labs at UofT History of Vaccination virtual exhibit Dr. Charles’ book - Suspicion. Vaccines, Hesitancy, and the Affective Politics of Protection in Barbados Seminal paper from the Rossi lab about Modified RNAs Providence Therapeutics

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infectious disease that affects millions of people globally every year. Despite being one of the oldest infectious diseases in humans, control of the epidemic through treatment and vaccination has remained out of reach. In today’s episode, we learned about what makes TB so difficult to control, from immunology to stigma. First, Dr. Jun Liu, a Professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics at University of Toronto, guides us through current knowledge on TB and discusses the difficulties and advances in developing TB vaccines. Next, Dr. Amrita Daftary, a Professor in the Department of Global Health at York University, explains the process of diagnosing and treating TB, and later highlights challenges that patients with TB may face while accessing care. Finally, Dr. Sarah Fortune, the Director of TB Research Program at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, helps us understand how TB drug resistance can arise, and why TB-HIV co-infection poses such a challenge. The figure against TB continues every day, by millions of patients, healthcare providers, and researchers alike. Join us as we learn about this forgotten pandemic. Dr. Jun Liu - profile Dr. Amrita Daftary - profile Dr. Sarah Fortune - profile What is DOTS? - report Paul Farmer on Partners in Health, Harvard-Haiti, and making the lives of the poor the fight of his life TB Personal Stories Vaccine Preventable Diseases

It’s only natural to be curious about the most essential need for human health and survival: water. In this episode, we learn about clean water, recognizing the drastic difference in water security between communities and what can be done about it. We spoke with Dr. Jay Famiglietti, a hydrologist at the University of Saskatchewan, about water infrastructure in terms of freshwater availability, climate change, and the value of federal oversight and science communication. Dr. Madjid Mohseni, professor in Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of British Columbia and Scientific Director of RES’EAU, shares his expertise in water quality and technologies, and his efforts to facilitate safe drinking water access. He emphasizes collaboration with Indigenous communities and the importance of water operators, echoed by John Millar, the founder of Water First. John delves into the training and education for Indigenous community members, as an essential way to combat water challenges on the ground. Currently, boil water advisories disproportionately affect Indigenous communities. We discuss environmental racism with Dr. Ingrid Waldron, Associate Professor at Dalhousie University and author of “There’s Something In The Water”. Dr. Waldron draws upon intersectionality in the context of environmental health inequities, and shares the impact of policy changes. Dr. Jay Famiglietti’s websiteEmerging trends in global freshwater availability (Nature, 2018) Dr. Jay Famiglietti’s podcast: Let's Talk About WaterRES’EAU Centre for Mobilizing Innovation's (RES’EAU)59 long-term drinking water advisories Water FirstThe ENRICH ProjectSupport Bill C-230

As we have learned through the COVID-19 pandemic, the health of communities around the world is connected through shared technologies, institutions, and values. In this episode, we explore these connections outside the context of a pandemic. We learn how issues in global health are prioritized, funded, and measured; about the roots of global health in imperialism, and what it means to decolonize global health; and about the importance of highlighting local expertise and youth perspectives to strive for equity and improve health outcomes. We spoke with several leaders in global health, including: Dr. Erica Di Ruggerio, Director of the Centre for Global Health and the Collaborative Specialization in Global Health at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health; Dr. Ngozi Erondu a Senior Research Fellow at the Chatham House Centre for Global Health Security and a Senior Public Health Advisor at Public Health England; Jason Nickerson, Humanitarian Affairs Advisor with Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), and Colleen Dockerty, Registered Nurse and gender-based violence consultant, also with MSF; and Habon Ali, a Somali-Canadian community builder, who leads initiatives to improve health equity and remove systemic barriers to engaging youth in global health. Dr. Erica Di Ruggiero - website Dr. Ngozi Erondu - website Dr. Jason Nickerson - website Apathy is Boring (Habon Ali) - website Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) - website

There are things in life that people take for granted every day. For many of us, that is the privilege of moving about in a world that was designed for our bodies and our physical abilities. Imagine not being able to get to a meeting on time because the nearest subway isn’t accessible. Imagine not getting any matches on a dating profile because 2 years ago you got into a car accident and now you get from place to place in a wheelchair. Imagine what it feels like to have your body be looked at as a problem to be solved. In this episode, we are trying to address ableism by talking to people with lived experience about what having a disability means to them while living in our society and culture today. We talk to disability advocates about the important work they are doing to help challenge how we define disability. Is disability a design problem that we can solve? We also touch on topics that many of us think about on a daily basis: sex, dating. We hope that this episode will help you reflect on some biases you have about living with a disability and think about what you can do to make your world more accessible, because we all deserve the same opportunities in life regardless of our physical ability. The Disabled List Dr. Jeff Preston’s website and blog Centre for Independent Living in Toronto

As Canadians, we're usually quite proud of our excellent healthcare system. However, as we learned in Episodes 83 on organ donation, 82 on amputation, and others, gaps in public coverage and long wait times sometimes prevent Canadians from accessing the best care. Enter "medical tourism", or "medical travel". In this episode, we explored what it might be like for Canadians to access care abroad. We spoke with Adele Kulyk, the CEO of Global Healthcare Connections. Adele has worked for the last ten years as a coordinator to help facilitate Canadians traveling elsewhere for care. Adele explains what may drive people to leave and what sort of procedures are accessed abroad. As we explored this topic, we discovered another reason Canadians travel abroad related to healthcare: as medical students and other trainees to actually provide care, a practice colloquially known as "medical voluntourism". To understand this theme, we sat down with Dr. Noelle Sullivan, a professor in anthropology at Northwestern University, and Dr. Jessica Evert, Family Medicine Physician at UCSF. Both guests spoke to their extensive research and experience working with medical trainees travelling abroad to provide care, shared their concerns about the impacts of these experiences on host communities, and offered insights on how to approach these opportunities with humility and grace. Global Healthcare Connections 2017 Fraser Institute Report on Medical Travel by Canadians Birth Tourism in Canada - Article Dr. Noelle Sullivan - Website Dr. Jessica Evert - Profile Child Family Health International

About 90% of Canadians say they support organ and tissue donation but less than 20% have made plans to donate. To tackle this discrepancy, Nova Scotia is set to become the first province in the country to have presumed consent for organ and tissue donation beginning in 2021. In this episode of Raw Talk, we speak to Jed Gross about the opt-in/opt-out systems, the ethical dilemmas of organ allocation and more. Next, we hear from Myles Lynch and Maariyah Rahman, who are alive today because of the organ donations they have received. We also had the opportunity to speak with Jillian Lynch, Myles' sister, who has been a huge advocate for organ donation, and a caregiver to her brother. Dr. Shafique Keshavjee, the Surgeon-in-Chief at University Health Network, discusses the science of organ transplant and cutting edge research that is causing the field to evolve very quickly, improving the life expectancy for many people like Myles who needed new lungs, and Maariyah who found out her heart suddenly began to fail when she was only 20 years old. Finally Dr. Istvan Mucsi, speaks to us about the important role of ethnicity, culture and religion in organ donation. We hope this episode exposes the remarkable feats and challenging realities of organ donation and transplantation today. The Organ Project Organ and Tissue Donation Canada Organ and Tissue Donation Ontario - Register to be a donor Trillium Gift of Life

On April 12, 1980, 22-year old Terry Fox dipped his toe into the icy Atlantic Ocean outside St John's, Newfoundland before setting out on one of the most inspiring athletic feats the world has ever seen. 40 years later, adaptive athletes continue to inspire movement and movements across the world. In this episode of Raw Talk Podcast, we explore lower-limb amputation, the phenomenon of phantom limb, and modern prosthetics. First, we sat down with Aristotle Domingo, an adaptive athlete, bilateral amputee, actor, motivational speaker, and founder of the Amputee Coalition of Toronto. Aristotle shared with us his amputation journey, from the difficult decision to have the surgery, to his ongoing work building and supporting the amputee community here in the GTA. Next, Dr. Amanda Mayo, a physiatrist with St. John's Rehab at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, explained the common reasons for amputation and considerations for surgical planning. Dr. Mayo also described the funding challenges experienced by amputees in Canada seeking to make the most of modern prosthetic technologies. Finally, Dr. Jan Andrysek, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at U of T and developer of the All-Terrain Knee, described the technical challenges in lower-limb prosthesis design, particularly to meet the rough-and-tumble needs of children. Dr. Andrysek also outlined his vision for the the future of prosthetics - it might not be what you'd think. Until next time, #keepitraw! Aristotle Domingo Amputee Coalition of Toronto The AmpuTO Show Podcast Dr. Amanda Mayo Dr. Jan Andrysek’s PROPEL Lab Legworks and the All Terrain Knee

Memory is essential for forming individual identity, as well as the process of learning. Yet, memory is not without its faults. In this episode of Raw Talk Podcast, we try to understand what memory is, the processes that affect the quality of our memories and the implications of faulty memory on the validity of eyewitness testimonies in the legal system. First we hear from Joey DeGrandis who shares his unique ability to recall specific details of autobiographical events. This rare memory phenomenon, known as Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM), provides an opportunity to investigate the brain systems underlying enhanced memory and conversely memory loss.  We then hear from Dr. Amy Finn, an assistant professor at the Department of  Psychology at the University of Toronto, and the principal investigator of the Learning and Neural Development Lab. Dr. Finn discusses memory formation and how the brain and cognitive development constrains and enables learning, using examples, such as the famous case of patient H.M. To better understand the ‘faults in our memory’, Dr. Daniel Schacter, a Harvard University Professor, discusses his work on how memory’s malfunctions may be classified into seven fundamental transgressions or “sins” and describes the seven sins of memory errors. Finally, we hear from Dr. Elizabeth Loftus, who shares her experience on how memory may be manipulated and modified by messages, ideas, suggestions and other post-event information.  Dr. Loftus’ memory research has had significant applications to the legal field, given its reliance on memory.  Join us as we put our own memories to the test and learn more about how we remember….and forget, on this week’s episode of Raw Talk. RTP Friendraiser link Joey DeGrandis, Time Magazine Article, 2017 Dr. Amy Finn, Finn LAND Lab Dr. Daniel Schacter Dr. Elizabeth Loftus UCI Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory Book “The Seven Sins of Memory: How the Mind Forgets and Remembers” by Dr. Daniel Schacter Book “Patient H.M.: A Story of Memory, Madness, and Family Secrets” by Luke Dittrich

2020 has been a strange, unpredictable and challenging year, as the coronavirus has impacted our lives in countless ways. Here at Raw Talk, we found ourselves struggling to keep up with COVID-19 research and understand the impacts of the pandemic on our society. So, instead of our usual live event this year, we created COVIDecoded: a weekly YouTube live stream of discussions with experts on all things COVID, to help understand the emerging science and social shifts. In this episode, the hosts from the series came together (distanced and wearing masks, of course) to discuss what we learned from the series, key themes that emerged, and our personal reflections on living through the pandemic. We review the current state of testing in Canada, discuss the social determinants of COVID-19 risk and the importance of gathering race-based data, and reflect on the lessons we can learn going forward. We hope the episode, and the full discussions below, can help you make sense of the diverse and complex interactions between our world and the virus, or in other words, the "New Normal". U of T Alumni Offers from our sponsors TD Insurance & MBNA Raw Talk Podcast Friendraiser Raw Talk Podcast Code of Conduct Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Italian cats and dogs Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the Spanish population COVIDecoded Series: Episode 1 - Coronaviruses 101 Episode 2 - Epidemiology and Modeling Episode 3 - Psychological Impact Episode 4 - Public Health and Policy Episode 5 - Intersections with Climate Change Episode 6 - Putting It to the test Episode 7 - Health Equity Episode 8 - Immunity in Canada

Your favourite medical science podcast is making the most of ‘the new normal’ - this year’s Raw Talk Live event was broadcast entirely on YouTube! Over 8 weeks, we spoke to researchers all across Canada about all things COVID-19. Our 8th and final instalment focuses on immunity and SARS-CoV2. Controlling this novel pathogen will no doubt require immune systems to adapt, and supporting those changes will demand a significant shift in societal attitudes and policies. What does it mean to be an asymptomatic carrier? What is herd immunity? What might a vaccination strategy look like? Join our discussion to learn all this, and more! Dr. David Naylor is a physician, biomedical researcher and former President of the University of Toronto, who most recently served as the Interim President and CEO of the SickKids Hospital prior to the appointment of the current administration. Having chaired Canada’s National Advisory Committee on SARS and Public Health back in 2003, Dr. Naylor is more than well-equipped to Co-Chair the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force, develop discourse on public health and safety, and help lead Canada into the ‘next normal’. Guest - Dr David Naylor Additional insights on COVID-19 and the Immune Response Watch this stream on YouTube U of T Alumni Offers from our sponsors TD Insurance & MBNA COVID Decoded Feedback survey

Your favourite medical science podcast is making the most of ‘the new normal’ - this year’s Raw Talk Live event was broadcast entirely on YouTube! Over 8 weeks, we spoke to researchers all across Canada about all things COVID-19. Our 7th instalment focuses on health equity – the historical context and impact of longstanding systemic inequities; how the pandemic has highlighted existing inequities for racialized, marginalized, and underrepresented groups; the importance of race-based and socioeconomic data; how they can inform an equitable public health response; and how we can ensure sustainable health and societal changes moving forward. Dr. Roberta K. Timothy is an Assistant Professor in the Teaching Stream, and is the new Director of Health Promotion at Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. Specializing in the areas of intersectionality and ethics in health work; health and race; transnational Indigenous health; and anti-oppression/anti-colonial approaches to mental health. Dr. Timothy has worked for over 30 years in community health working on resisting anti-Black racism and intersectional violence strategies. Dr. Timothy is also co-founder and consultant at Continuing Healing Consultants where she implements and teaches her intersectional mental health model "Anti-Oppression Psychotherapy". She is an interdisciplinary scholar, health practitioner, and political scientist who examines global health and ethics from a critical trauma-informed decolonizing framework. Dr. Ceinwen Pope is a new family physician and current medical resident at the University of Toronto's Public Health and Preventive Medicine residency program. Her interest in health equity and population health led her to pursue an undergraduate degree specializing in Global Health at McMaster University, followed by a medical degree at the University of Ottawa. In the fall, she will begin a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at the Dalla School of Public Health as part of her ongoing medical training. Her recent work has involved looking at equity-informed public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Guest - Dr Roberta K Timothy Guest - Dr Ceinwen Pope Watch this stream on YouTube U of T Alumni Offers from our sponsors TD Insurance & MBNA COVID Decoded Feedback survey

Your favourite medical science podcast is making the most of ‘the new normal’ - this year’s Raw Talk Live event was broadcast entirely on YouTube! Over 8 weeks, we spoke to researchers all across Canada about all things COVID-19. Our 6th instalment focuses on COVID-19 testing – what the tests tell us and how they work, how testing has changed the course of the pandemic, and what we can expect from them in terms of epidemiological surveillance and recovery as we move forward. Dr. Adeli is a senior scientist and clinical biochemist with over 30 years of experience in clinical chemistry service, education, and research. He is currently the Head of Clinical Biochemistry at the Hospital for Sick Children and Full Professor in the Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Biochemistry, and Physiology at the University of Toronto. Dr. Adeli also serves as the President of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) and the current Editor-in-Chief of Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Mary Kathryn Bohn is a PhD candidate in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at McMaster University in 2018 and is now a trainee with the Canadian Laboratory Initiative on Paediatric Reference Intervals (CALIPER) under the supervision of Dr. Khosrow Adeli at The Hospital for Sick Children. Guest - Dr Khosrow Adeli Guest - Mary Kathryn Bohn Watch this stream on YouTube U of T Alumni Offers from our sponsors TD Insurance & MBNA COVID Decoded Feedback survey

Your favourite medical science podcast is making the most of ‘the new normal’ - this year’s Raw Talk Live event was broadcast entirely on YouTube! Over 8 weeks, we spoke to researchers all across Canada about all things COVID-19. Our 5th instalment focuses on the connections between the COVID-19 pandemic and Climate Change: similarities on both personal and structural levels, key differences, and lessons we can learn from each crisis for the other. We are grateful to be joined by two experts working at the intersections of health and environment: Chúk Odenigbo is Director of Ancestral Services at Future Ancestor Services and a PhD student at The University of Ottawa in Medical Geography. Proudly Franco-Albertan, Chúk is passionate about the interactions between culture, health and the environment. As a former ambassador for the outdoors with MEC, and alumni of the first Ocean Bridge cohort, Chúk was ranked among the top 25 environmentalists under 25 in Canada by the starfish for three years. Gideon Forman is a Climate Change Policy Analyst with the David Suzuki Foundation working to promote renewable energy projects and the expansion of active and public transportation. For over a decade he was Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, leading campaigns against lawn pesticides and coal-fired power. In recognition for his environmental work, Gideon was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal in 2013. Guest - Chúk Odenigbo Guest - Gideon Forman Watch this stream on YouTube U of T Alumni Offers from our sponsors TD Insurance & MBNA COVID Decoded Feedback survey

Your favourite medical science podcast is making the most of ‘the new normal’ - this year’s Raw Talk Live event was broadcast entirely on YouTube! Over 8 weeks, we spoke to researchers all across Canada about all things COVID-19. Our fourth instalment features public health experts Dr. Jeff Kwong and Professor Vivek Goel in a discussion on the public health response to COVID-19 in Canada and Ontario. We also explore the role of public health interventions and the future of the COVID-19 public health response. Dr. Jeff Kwong is an epidemiologist, a specialist in public health and preventive medicine, and a family physician. He is the Program Leader of the Populations and Public Health Program at IC/ES (formerly the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences), a Scientist at Public Health Ontario, a Professor at the University of Toronto, and the Interim Director of the University of Toronto’s Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases. He has conducted a range of studies related to the epidemiology of influenza and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Professor Vivek Goel is a member of the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force and the Governing Council for CanCOVID, the national research platform for COVID-19 research. He is also Special Advisor to the President and Provost at the University of Toronto and a Professor in the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health. He has previously served as the University’s Vice-Provost, Faculty and was subsequently Vice President and Provost from 2004 until 2008. He was a founding scientist at IC/ES, where he continues as an Adjunct Senior Scientist. He served as founding President and CEO of Public Health Ontario from 2008 until 2014, before returning to the University as Vice-President, Research and Innovation, and Strategic Initiatives from 2015-2020. Guest - Dr Vivek Goel Guest - Dr Jeff Kwong Dealing with COVID-19: A Balanced Response Letter Watch this stream on YouTube U of T Alumni Offers from our sponsors TD Insurance & MBNA COVID Decoded Feedback survey

Your favourite medical science podcast is making the most of ‘the new normal’ - this year’s Raw Talk Live event was broadcast entirely on YouTube! Over 8 weeks, we spoke to researchers all across Canada about all things COVID-19. Our third instalment features Dr. Rima Styra, an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and clinician-investigator at the University Health Network, and Donna Alexander, social worker at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, former Vice-President of the Black Health Alliance and Board Member of Black Mental Health Canada and the Community Advisory Committee for Children’s Aid Society of Toronto. We will discuss how our mental health is impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the specific psychological effects experienced by healthcare workers and the Black community, and what changes should be made in our mental health systems in response to the “new normal.” Guest - Dr Rima Styra Guest - Donna Alexander Watch this stream on YouTube U of T Alumni Offers from our sponsors TD Insurance & MBNA COVID Decoded Feedback survey Mental Health Resources: The Star: Canada could face a mental health ‘echo pandemic’ in the aftermath of COVID-19 The Star: Here’s what you actually feel: Two Toronto doctors explain the psychology of pandemic CTV News: Half of Canadians report worsening mental health, experts say woes just beginning WNYC News: Advice on Getting Through COVID Isolation From Two Doctors Who Worked Through SARS 2004 SARS control and psychological effects of quarantine COVID-19 Mental Health Services (City of Toronto) Black Mental Health Resources/Services/Organizations: Mental health resources for the Black community in Toronto 8 Mental Health Practices for People of African Descent while Isolated Substance Abuse Program for African Canadian and Caribbean Youth (SAPACCY) Black Health Alliance Black Youth Helpline Black Mental Health Canada Black Mental Health Day WellNest Psychotherapy Services Mental Health Services for Healthcare Workers: CAMH Resources for health care workers during COVID-19 St. Joe's COVID-19: Mental Health Services for HCW Free Psychological Services for Frontline Workers (Canadian Psychological Association) Mitigating the psychological effects of COVID-19 on health care workers Impact on health care workers employed in high-risk areas during the Toronto SARS outbreak  

Your favourite medical science podcast is making the most of ‘the new normal’ - this year’s Raw Talk Live event was broadcast entirely on YouTube! Over 8 weeks, we spoke to researchers all across Canada about all things COVID-19. Our second instalment features Dr Sharmistha Mishra, infectious disease physician and mathematical modeler, and Linwei Wang, senior epidemiologist, both at St. Michael’s Hospital, to learn about the questions, data, and assumptions behind mathematical models of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Guest - Dr Sharmistha Mishra Guest - Linwei Wang Watch this stream on YouTube U of T Alumni Offers from our sponsors TD Insurance & MBNA COVID Decoded Feedback survey

Your favourite medical science podcast is making the most of ‘the new normal’ - this year’s Raw Talk Live event was broadcast entirely on YouTube! Over 8 weeks, we spoke to researchers all across Canada about all things COVID-19. Our first instalment features Dr. Karen Mossman, molecular virologist and Vice President of Research at McMaster University. Dr. Mossman discusses how coronaviruses, particularly SARS-CoV-2, infect human cells and cause disease, and shares interesting insights from her current research. Guest - Dr Karen Mossman Watch this stream on YouTube U of T Alumni Offers from our sponsors TD Insurance & MBNA COVID Decoded Feedback survey

In part two of our maternal health series, we explore the journey through pregnancy, birth, and the post-natal period – including the planning involved, the decisions made, and any healthcare a person may receive along the way. We started out our conversation with Madeleine Springate-Combs, a midwife in Ontario, who told us about why someone may choose to receive care from a midwife and the philosophy of midwifery. We also spoke to midwife Lauren Wattam, who has worked with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) and practiced midwifery in missions to Ethiopia, Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Yemen. She told us about the important roles that midwives can play throughout pregnancy and childbirth around the world and the impacts of global health outreach. We also spoke to Dr. John Kingdom, the chair of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and professor of maternal-fetal medicine at the University of Toronto, and a clinician-scientist at Mount Sinai Hospital. He told us about some of the complications that can arise in pregnancy and the work he does to deal with them. Finally, we spoke to Jane Francis, a registered dietician and PhD candidate in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto. Her work focuses on providing accessible breastfeeding support to mothers from marginalized populations. Canadian Association of Midwives Mount Sinai Ontario Fetal Centre Medecins Sans Frontieres Vulnerable mothers' experiences breastfeeding with an enhanced community lactation support program Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program Parkdale Queen West Community Health Center – Pregnancy and Parenting Programs The danger of a single story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie When Women Were Birds: Fifty-four Variations on Voice by Terry Tempest Williams

Maternal health refers to the journey from pregnancy to child birth to the postnatal period. Every mother’s experience is different and includes a continuum of scientific and medical, through to psychosocial and spiritual aspects. This episode is the first of a two-part series focused on this important topic. We spoke to Dr. Kaajal Abrol, a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Specialist in Toronto, at Trio Fertility. In this wide-ranging discussion, she touches on causes of infertility and treatments, as well as when we should all start thinking about our own fertility, freezing eggs, embryo genetic screening, and much more. We also sat down with Amira Posner, a therapist with a private practice in Toronto, and someone with personal experience with infertility and in-vitro fertilization. She now helps many couples facing similar challenges by facilitating the Mind-Body Fertility Group and co-facilitating the Online Mindfulness Fertility Series. Finally, we also heard personal stories from four different mothers as they navigated deciding to get pregnant and the diverse paths that they took from there, including some difficult challenges they faced. Stay tuned for our second episode on maternal health, where we’ll discuss being pregnant, childbirth, and the postnatal period! Until then, #keepitraw! Kaajal Abrol Amira Posner Jen Gunter Ontario funded fertility treatments

Acceptance of transgender and non-binary folks in Canada has come a long way in the last decade and arguably much of this progress was made in just the last few years. While many of us take for granted the ability to express our true selves, it was only in June of 2017 that gender identity and expression was officially recognized and protected from discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act. This and many other policy changes, including those related to healthcare, stem from decades of effort and courage from the trans community. On this episode, you'll hear several perspectives on the past, present, and future of trans health. We spoke to Susan Gapka, a trans-rights advocate and Education and Training Program facilitator at The 519, who discussed her work at The 519, political activism, and lived experience as a trans individual. We also spoke with Sly Sarkisova, a psychotherapist and a registered clinical social worker specializing in trauma and LGBTQ+-related mental health, who walked us through the challenges faced by trans and non-binary folks and how they might interact with the healthcare system. Finally, Dr. Mitchell Brown, an Associate Professor in Department of Surgery at University of Toronto and plastic surgeon at Women’s College Hospital, spoke to us about the Transition-Related Surgery Program, the first public hospital-based surgical program in Canada focused on providing safe and timely access to transition-related surgical care. Rainbow Health Ontario Sherbourne Health Women’s College Hospital - Transition Related Surgeries Program The 519 Toronto Trans Coalition Project CAMH Gender Identity Clinic Glad Day Bookshop Flamingo Rampant - A micropress with a mission Sly Sarkisova

Sports play an important role in our culture, from the individual level where many participate in recreational activities for exercise and social benefits, to the national and international levels where professional sports are a huge industry worth billions. Sports can strongly unite people, but athletes of every level from the weekend warrior to the professional athlete can face challenges that remind us that there is a team behind the team – helping maintain their mental and physical health! In this episode we hear from inspiring speakers sharing their insights from the worlds of medicine, research and professional athlete development. Dr. Doug Richards kicks things off, he is the Medical Director and Staff Physician practicing sport and exercise medicine at the David L. MacIntosh Sport Medicine Clinic, Chief Medical Officer at the Canadian Sport Institute of Ontario, and Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto. Next up to the plate is Dr. Gretchen Kerr, the Vice Dean of Programs at the School of Graduate Students and Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto specializing in athlete maltreatment. Karl Subban earns the hat trick with his inspirational personal experiences as an educator and in raising five elite children, including the development of 3 NHL Players. In the spirit of teamwork, this episode was created in collaboration with Medicine in Motion. Until next time, #keepitraw Medicine In Motion Podcast Athlete Maltreatment Among National Athletes Study and Summary Athlete Mental Health

Music, we listen to it when waking up, while in transit, at work, and with friends. It is a form of entertainment, but also has the potential to provide so much more. Music is a universal language with the ability to connect and reach people on social, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual levels. It can bring us joy and motivate us, accompany us through difficult times, evoke nostalgia, and alleviate our worries. These qualities allow music to be applied to improving physical, emotional, and mental well-being. In this episode, we invite you to join us as we explore the science of music therapy. We hear from five music therapists working in various aspects of the field: Dr. Michael Thaut, Canada Research Chair in Music and Health Sciences; Dr. SarahRose Black, Music Therapist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Kensington Health; Priya Shah, Music Therapist at Journey Home Hospice, Fudger House, and the Music Therapy Centre; Dr. Corene Hurt-Thaut, Assistant Professor of Music and Health Sciences at the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto, and Program Director of the Academy of Neurological Music Therapy; and Bernice Chu, Neurologic Music Therapy Fellow in the United Kingdom at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability. In addition to our guests’ insights, they also shared musical snippets of their work with their clients, which may tug at your heart strings and inspire. You’ll want to stay tuned to the very end! We hope this episode opens your ears and heart to the role of music in health and wellbeing, and inspires you to listen and explore the power of music. Until next time, keep it raw! Music Therapy Association of Ontario (MTAO) The Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy UHN Music Therapy Inpatient Resource Certification Board for Music Therapists Canadian Association of Music Therapists Music Heals  

While humans have struggled for millennia with the spread of contagious diseases, rapid global movement of people and food now magnifies the risks of outbreaks, requiring better monitoring and faster response than ever before. Completely by coincidence, during the making of this episode, the 2019 novel coronavirus spread from Wuhan to the rest of Asia, Europe, and North America. The World Health Organization has officially upgraded this outbreak to the status of Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). While many infectious disease specialists were busy dealing with this outbreak, we were fortunate to speak with several key experts about outbreak science, monitoring, response, and prediction. First, we spoke with Dr. Kamran Khan, a physician, academic, and scientist at St. Micheal’s Hospital and University of Toronto. Dr. Khan is an Associate Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and the Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation. He also founded BlueDot, a company specializing in machine learning models to predict the timing and trajectory of infectious disease outbreaks. We also spoke with Dr. Ross Upshur, a professor at the University of Toronto in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. Dr. Upshur is a specialist in public health medicine, and Head of the Clinical Public Health Division at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health. Join us as we discuss the pressing issues of outbreaks, and track one in real time, on this week’s episode of Raw Talk. JHU COVID-19 Dashboard BlueDot Naming New Viruses: Something Catchy? History of Outbreaks in Canada Public Health Agency of CanadaCDC Outbreak Monitoring WHO Disease Outbreaks Monitoring WHO Handbook on Epidemics Dr Margaret Chan speaks at the 70th World Health Assembly

Our genetic information makes us who we are. "Hacking" into such an essential part of nature used to be something that happened only in science fiction. However, technology and scientific knowledge are evolving rapidly and "bio-hacking" has gone from sci-fi to reality. In fact, scientists and doctors around the world are conducting studies to see whether genetic engineering techniques could be used as interventions for various diseases like sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia. On this week's episode, we explore what our future could look like if we start to modulate our own biology at the genetic level. Dr. Josiah Zayner, CEO of the ODIN and promoter of DIY biology, shared his passion for hands-on science, learning from self-experimentation and genetic engineering in his own home. The techniques and the potential of genetic engineering were further explained by Andrew Hessel, a "genomic futurist" and co-lead of the Genome Project-Write. We also spoke with Dr. Michael Szego, Clinical Ethicist and Assistant Professor, Departments of Family and Community Medicine and Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, to weigh in on the role of ethics in genetic engineering. Finally, our team reflected on how we envision "biohacking" in the future. Are you ready to biohack yourself? Tune in to find out! Raw Talk Listener Survey!Open InsulinNEO.LIFE: Online MagazineJosiah Zayner: STAT News Op-EdThe OdinAndrew Hessel's WebsiteNew York Times Op-doc: "Gut Hack"Genome Project-WriteHumane GenomicsDr. Michael SzegoArticle: Gene therapy clinical trials worldwide to 2017: An updateArticle: CRISPR'd babies: human germline genome editing in the 'He Jiankui affair'Article: Where will we draw the line? Public opinions of human gene editing

Climate change has been called the defining issue of our time. Its scope, complexity, and impact pose an enormous challenge to humanity. Political, economic, ecological, agricultural and health systems are already being affected in unprecedented ways. In this episode, we sat down with climate experts and activists to discuss these issues. First, we heard from George Kourounis, renowned global adventurer, storm chaser, and host of Angry Planet, who clarified the difference between climate and weather, and described the impacts of climate change we’re already feeling. Next, we listened in on a talk by Gideon Forman, a Policy Analyst at the David Suzuki Foundation and former Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE). He discussed the magnitude of climate change in the context of health. Dr. Chung-Wai Chow, a lung transplant physician and leading research scientist at the University Health Network, whom we heard from in episode 38, elaborated on the effects of wildfires and pollution on respiratory health, based on her research in Fort McMurray. You’ll also hear from Dr. Edward Xie and learn more about how other vulnerable populations are being impacted by climate change from Indigenous communities in Canada to climate refugees across the globe. Dr Xie helped us understand how increased flooding, droughts, and spread of infectious diseases are further stressing fragile health systems based on his work as an emergency and family physician at the University of Toronto and board member of CAPE. While the situation is serious, there’s much we can do to help fight climate change, from personal lifestyle changes to community activism to international accountability. Along with our other guests, Carol Devine, Humanitarian Advisor for Doctors Without Borders and Community Scholar in the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research at York University, shared her insights and recommendations on how we can tackle the climate challenge together. Raw Talk Listener Survey! TEA: Toronto Environmental Alliance CAPE: Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment CAPE Toolkit for Health Professionals David Suzuki Foundation Angry Planet, with George Kourounis A crisis in the making: MSF and the global health impact of climate change (Article) Lancet Climate Change Countdown 2019 Report Meatless Mondays Climate-induced migration and displacement: closing the policy gap The UN Refugee Agency: The 1951 Convention

What does it mean to lead a meaningful life? How do we find meaning in a modern context? Are we in the midst of a ‘meaning crisis’? Answering such profound questions is no easy task, but in this episode, we speak to several guests who are diving into the deep end and trying to do just that. First, we speak with Dr. Fabienne Picard, a neurologist at the University Hospital of Geneva, about using ecstatic seizures to scientifically study the feeling of meaning and what occurs physiologically during these moments. Then, we hear Dr. Tayyab Rashid, a clinical psychologist at the Health and Wellness Centre at the University of Toronto Scarborough, discuss how he uses positive psychology in his clinical practice to help people achieve a sense of well-being. Finally, we sat down with Dr. John Vervaeke, professor of psychology and cognitive science at the University of Toronto, to hear all about zombies, the ‘meaning crisis’, and to get a more philosophical perspective on meaning and how to live a more meaningful life. So join us as we tackle these profound questions, and explore the science, psychology, and the philosophy of meaning and wellbeing. And hopefully you find something meaningful in our exploration! Consciousness and Wisdom Lab Awakening From the Meaningful Crisis Youtube series Taayab Rashid - Positive Psychology

Children have historically been excluded from medical research studies and clinical trials in order to protect them. While this exclusion is well intentioned, we need pediatric research to answer important clinical questions and improve clinical care for this patient population. On this episode of Raw Talk, we explored the nuances of pediatric health research and clinical practice. Our conversation started with Dr. Elizabeth Stephenson, Staff Cardiologist, researcher, and Chair of the Research Ethics Board at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), who shares why it’s so important to include vulnerable populations, like children, in research and the ethical considerations that make this possible. Dr. Stephenson also discussed concepts including capacity, consent vs assent, and risk vs benefit in the pediatric setting. We also spoke with Nurse Practitioner Tara McKeown and Clinical Research Nurse Andrea Cote about their exciting and challenging roles in the New Agent and Innovative Therapy (NAIT) program, conducting early phase clinical trials at SickKids. Finally, Dr. Paul Nathan, Director of the AfterCare childhood cancer survivorship program at SickKids, shares how clinical care differs in childhood vs adult cancer survivors, the concept of “shared care” in this field, and both he and Dr. Stephenson discuss the importance of including children and adolescents in conversations about their health. Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario All Ontario AfterCare Programs - POGO SickKids AfterCare Program New Agent and Innovative Therapy (NAIT) Program Children's Oncology Group (COG) Ronald McDonald House Toronto

Homelessness remains a persistent, societal and human rights issue that affects over 250,000 Canadians. The challenges go beyond just finding a place to live – those who are homeless or vulnerably housed have higher incidences of chronic mental and physical health problems and often face stigma while navigating the healthcare system. On this episode, we heard from different voices at the intersection of homelessness and health. We started our conversation with Linda Bingham from Working for Change, who shared her lived experience with homelessness and addiction and how she has now found her voice to tell her story for the very first time. We also spoke to Daniela Mergarten, who told us about her struggles to find stable housing, her experiences with the healthcare system, and her advocacy work with the Lived Experience Caucus of the Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness. Dr. Alissa Tedesco, a physician in the Palliative Education and Care for the Homeless (PEACH) program and co-chair of Health Providers Against Poverty (HPAP) Ontario, told us about the work being done on the frontline to address the healthcare needs of people who are homeless as well as some of the shortcomings of our healthcare and social service systems. Finally, Dr. Vicky Stergiopoulos, a clinician-scientist and physician in chief at CAMH, told us about her work looking at the effectiveness of a Housing First approach to improve housing stability and health outcomes amongst people experiencing homelessness. Linda Bingham's interview Daniela Mergarten's interview Voices on the Street, Working for Change Dr. Naheed Dosani TedX Talk Daniela’s CBC article on losing her home on Dovercourt PEACH Website Journey Home Hospice Mental Health Commission of Canada Paper by Dr. Vicky Stergiopoulos: Key Ingredients of a Cross-Section Partnership Extension of At Home/Chez Soi Study by Dr. Vicky Stergiopoulos The Upstream Lab Health Providers Against Poverty (HPAP) HPAP Report Card A Housing First success story Partnership to create affordable housing (University Health Network, United Way of Greater Toronto, City of Toronto) Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness The Street Health Report"Too Little Too Late: How we fail vulnerable Canadians as they die and what to do about it"

  Humans have been captivated by the power of psychedelics for millennia. Traditionally, natural psychedelics have been used in religious rituals to communicate with gods or in warfare to take courage. More casual use of synthetic psychedelics like LSD and DMT is often depicted in movies and songs as surreal and stimulating events. Despite being highly regulated and poorly studied, people continue to use psychedelics for the unique and impactful experiences. In today’s episode, we want to learn what science says about these magic drugs. Dr. Edward Shorter, Professor of History of Medicine and an author of many books on medical drugs, talked to us about how psychedelics were discovered. We also spoke to scientists who explore the potential therapeutic use of psychedelics. Dr. Fred Barrett, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences at Johns Hopkins University, gave us an overview of current understanding of psychedelics on brain function. Dr. Norm Farb, Professor of Psychology at University of Toronto Mississauga, explained to us his upcoming trial on psychedelic microdosing. Finally, one of our hosts Amber Mullin shared with us her personal experiences with and perspectives on psychedelics. Tune in to find out what psychedelics have to offer.  

Fifty years after humans first set foot on the Moon, we’re on the verge of a new era in space exploration. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and NASA have upcoming plans to go back to the Moon and even the private sector is in on the action, with SpaceX aspiring to send a crew to Mars by 2024. Space exploration is exciting, but we are far from understanding all the effects of space travel on the human body. In today’s episode, we spoke to Dr. Shane Journeay, a physician specializing in physical and rehabilitation medicine. He told us about the requirements for becoming an astronaut, the physical toll of space travel, and the rehabilitation required after returning to Earth. We also spoke to former CSA astronaut and physician Dr. Dave Williams, who told us all about his experience on the International Space Station - from eating and sleeping to running experiments in outer space. Scientists Dr. Laurence Harris and Marieke de Korte told us about the space health research they’re involved with, and Pierre-Alexandre Fournier, CEO of Hexoskin, told us about Astroskin, an intelligent textile that continuously monitors the vital signs of astronauts. You don’t want to miss out on this stellar episode! Astronaut Dave Williams’ book Defying Limits NASA Twin Study Vection Project Immuno Profile: Staying Healthy in Space Canadian Space Agency “Life in Space”

On October 21, we will be voting in an important federal election that will determine the next 4 years of Canadian’s lives. While voters have many concerns they want addressed, one topic that does not often get the spotlight is science. In this week’s episode, we turned to leading Canadian science advocates for advice on how we can speak up for science. Dr. David Naylor, former President of the University of Toronto and chair of the recent Fundamental Science Review (throwback to episode 65), spoke to us about the importance of fostering a science culture and the misuse of science by politicians. Dr. Molly Shoichet, University Professor at U of T and former Ontario Chief Scientist, shared with us her views on the politicization of science, the vitality of science evidence in providing policy solutions for the future, and the inclusion of scientists into the decision-making process. You’ll also hear from Dr. Imogen Coe, Founding Dean of Science and Professor at Ryerson University, as well as a champion for equity, diversity and, inclusion programs in Canada. She further illustrated the importance of active science communication to improve contributions to science. We spoke to Farah Qaiser, President of the science advocacy organization Toronto Science Policy Network and Graduate Student at U of T, who provided us with a student’s perspective on these vital issues in addition to discussing the ongoing Vote Science campaign – a great and easy way for everyone and anyone to get involved in the world of science policy. Last, but certainly not least, Dr. Amanda Veri, a Research associate at U of T shared her inspiring example of science advocacy we hope will light a fire in you as we approach election day. Political Party Platforms Vote Science Campaign Toronto Science Policy Network Evidence4democracy Canadian Science Policy Conference Science Outside the Lab North Canada’s Fundamental Science Review

On this episode, we explore the life cycle of research: from seeking funding to sharing findings that inspire. Grace spoke to Dr. David Naylor about science culture in Canada and the Fundamental Science Review panel that he chaired. This review reported on the science funding ecosystem in Canada and was key to Federal research budget increases in 2018. Stephania also sat down with Dr. Alan Bernstein, President of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) and former President of the Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR). He shared what makes a grant application great and more likely to be awarded funds, as well as the collaborative research that CIFAR is leading. We also spoke with Dr. Orli Bahcall, a Senior Editor at Nature Genetics, who gave us her perspective on publishing, the value of preprints, and impact factor as a measure of publication success. Finally, we dived into what we can do to advocate for more research funding and engage with the public about science. From inspirational ideas to a published article, the research process is an extensive and expensive one. Evidence for Democracy - Fundamental Science Review Fundamental Science Review Summary CIHR Grants and Award Expenditures CIHR In Numbers CIFAR The Impact Factor Guide to Scholarly Metrics Illinois Library: Scholarly Metrics Dr. Ben Mudrak on Preprints

Food is a part of our everyday lives and is essential for us to survive and thrive. For many of us, food is also a source of joy. We share stories, make memories, and plan our lives around meals. Photos and smells of food often bring nostalgic memories to mind and a smile to our faces. But what happens when your relationship with food impacts your life negatively? On this week’s episode, we aimed to gain a greater perspective on Eating Disorders with the help of several guests. Tracie Burke and Holly Dickenson are two Registered Dietitians working with the Eating Disorders Program at Toronto General Hospital, who guide us through the steps their patients take in the program. You’ll also hear from Candice Richardson who shares her lived experience with eating disorders. Candice and her colleague Ary Maharaj also work with the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC), conducting outreach and providing support to and information for patients and their families. Finally, we dive into the latest research on eating disorders with Dr. Allan Kaplan, Senior Scientist and Psychiatrist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health who investigates the psychobiological factors of Eating Disorders and Shauna Solomon-Krakus, a PhD Candidate whose thesis focuses on the relationship between personality, emotions, and eating disorders. Tune in to hear our guests debunk myths and common misconceptions surrounding eating disorders and shed light on these poorly studied diseases.   For more information on research at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)   p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica} For a recovery program: The Eating Disorders Program at UHN   p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica} For support and referral: The National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC) p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica} Helpline 1-866-633-4220)   Written By: Tsukiko Miyata    

Where do you see medicine in 20 years? Does it involve Artificial Intelligence? We think it does, which is why this summer we hosted our second annual live event entitled Medicine Meets Machine: The Emerging Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare! This episode is all about the future and ethical considerations of AI in medicine. Our panelists come from diverse backgrounds and share their unique opinions on what should be feared and what the public has wrong about AI. We will hear from Alison Paprica, Christopher Hammill, Sunit Das as well as moderator Allan Miranda about the path we must take to ensure a productive future with AI. Written by: Nazanin Ijad  

Raw Talk recently hosted their second annual live event entitled Medicine Meets Machine: The Emerging Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare! Today’s episode with Grace and Stephania shares the discussion from our first panel of experts focusing on current applications and limitations of AI in medicine. Our speakers share perspectives from healthcare, academia, industry, and policy development. You’ll hear from Dr. Oren Kraus, Dr. Jason Lerch, Dr. Marzyeh Ghassemi , and Dr. Johanna Yu, as well as moderator Dr. Shreejoy Tripathy about the realities of AI and the challenges involved, as well as the implications of AI for their own work.  

Within the last couple of years, the concept of “fake news” has generated much interest in mainstream media. Currently, our generation has access to more information than at any other time in human history. But what are we doing to stay critical of all the information we receive? How do we separate the fact from the fiction? On today’s episode, our team explores the state of science literacy, current initiatives aimed at improving science literacy, and how medical practice has changed in this “information” era. Melissa and Anton took it to the streets of Toronto to get a sense of where the general public gets their science information and how they decide whether to believe what they hear. Next, Richie spoke with Dr. Vince Stendardo, a family doctor in Toronto, about how the abundance of information available to patients online has changed his practice. Melissa also spoke with Jesse Hildebrand, a University of Toronto alum and founder of Science Literacy Week, to discuss his work with science promotion and outreach. Lastly, Amber sat down with Dr. Roger Riendeau, professor in the writing and rhetoric program at the University of Toronto, to talk about the illusions and reality of evidence, and how people process evidence in order to reach conclusions. So before you fall prey to the next big “fake news” story, tune in to find out how you can be more science literate. Until next time, keep it raw! Written by Anton Rogachov Canada Most Science Literate Country in the World (Article) Science Literacy Week Roger Riendeau's Teaching and Writing Site Canada Most Science Literate Country in the World (Article) Science Literacy Week Roger Riendeau's Teaching and Writing Site  

Crime shows are ubiquitous these days. A common theme in the genre is violence committed by individuals who are mentally ill. These events are oftentimes sensationalized, drawing attention to the nature of the crime, and blurring the circumstances and neurobiology that played a role in setting the stage. Today’s episode explores the intersection of violence and mental illness, and among other things, talks about how crime in this context could be interpreted as a symptom of inadequate care. To start, we sat down with Dr. Hy Bloom, a forensic psychiatrist and lawyer, and part time staff member in the Complex Mental Illness/Forensic Services Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). With one foot in the medical world, and another in the legal realm, he talked about the legal nuances of forensic psychiatry. Next was Dr. Sandy Simpson, a clinician-scientist and the Chief of Forensic Psychiatry at CAMH. Dr. Simpson talked about his international research in the field, and emphasized the need for more community-based services. Finally, Dr. James Cantor, a clinical psychologist and Director of the Toronto Sexuality Centre, spoke to us about his practice and research in the field of pedophilia and paraphilias. Tune in for an episode as riveting as any true crime story you have listened to. Until next time, keep it raw! Written by: Alexandra Mogadam Dr. Hy Bloom's workplace.calm inc Dr. Hy Bloom's faculty pages: Department of Psychiatry & Faculty of Law Dr. Sandy Simpson's faculty pages: Department of Psychiatry & CAMH Dr. James Cantor's website Toronto Sexuality Centre Dr. Cantor's article on white matter deficiency in men who are pedophilic Dr. Cantor's documentary, I,Pedophile, on CBC Television's Firsthand documentary series

Have you ever had a bad reaction to a medication? Or realized that it just wasn’t helping at all? The way someone responds to a particular drug – how effective it is and whether they experience any side effects – can vary greatly between individuals, and it’s becoming apparent that a personalized approach is needed when treating many conditions. This is especially true for several psychiatric conditions, where finding the right medication for someone has relied heavily on trial and error. In this episode, we talked to Dr. James Kennedy and Dr. Daniel Mueller, clinician scientists at CAMH and co-principal investigators of the IMPACT study, which aims to personalize the treatment of several psychiatric conditions. Catherine Virelli, a student in the Translational Research Program working with Dr. Kennedy, told us about the steps and challenges involved with bringing predictive tools produced by programs like IMPACT into clinical use. We also sat down with Dr. Christine Bear, senior scientist at Sick Kids and director of CFIT - the Program for Individualized Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Therapy. She told us about why an individualized approach is necessary for treating CF and how the CFIT program can be useful for discovering new personalized therapies for patients. Raw Talk's AI Event on May 7th IMPACT Study Dr. Daniel Mueller's Pharmacogenetics Group Sick Kids Foundation Cystic Fibrosis CFIT Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium

Aging is a biological process that acts on all of us, from the day we’re born until the day we die. And for many people, it is a cause for concern. In fact, some scientists believe aging should be classified as a disease. Memory loss, aches and pains, wrinkles, loneliness - there are a lot of reasons for why one might fear getting old. On this episode of Raw Talk, we talk to memory expert Dr. Morris Moscovitch to unpack how and why our memory suffers as we age and discuss the ways in which memory loss can be delayed. Richie explains some of the molecular mechanisms surrounding aging. Finally, we spoke with Dr. Esme Fuller-Thomson, who shares why we may not need to be as worried about our aging population as we thought. She also voices her thoughts on creative considerations to improve healthcare for older adults as well as how to make our cities more age-friendly. Written by: Melissa Galati

In the past, the term autism was used to describe the symptoms of schizophrenia and was (incorrectly!) thought to have been caused by apathetic “refrigerator mothers”. Today, we use the term autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to describe developmental conditions that affect the communication and behaviour of individuals, with a wide range of symptoms and severities. Clearly, ASD is a complex condition and our understanding of it is constantly evolving. In this episode, you’ll hear from two clinician-scientists at CAMH, Dr. Meng-Chuan Lai and Dr. Stephanie Ameis, who cover all the basics on ASD, and some newer research topics like sex and gender differences in autism. Dr. Stephen Scherer, a senior scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children, told us about his work on MSSNG, an exciting collaboration with Google and Autism Speaks, to uncover the genetic basis of ASD. You’ll also hear from Connie Putterman, telling the story of her son’s ASD diagnosis and how she came to be an advocate for autism research, as well as Rouya Botlani, who shares what she’s learned through her work with students who have autism, at U of T Accessibility Services. Written by: Thamiya Vasanthakumar Links and Resources: MSSNG The Pond Network Connie Putterman: The Parent Link Connie Putterman's TEDx Talk