SPEAK!

Special Host Elizabeth Coulson --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/championsofchangeutm/message

Toxic Masculinity --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/championsofchangeutm/message

From childhood, there is an evident distinction made between the roles, behaviours and appearance of a girl compared to a boy. Whether it's that fact that boys are praised for aggression while girls are expected to be polite or that girls are more often complimented on their appearance while boys are complimented on things like their work ethic. A girl stepping outside of these strict societal boundaries makes her less “feminine” or less “girly”. These societal expectations continue from childhood into adulthood. We see the effect of these boundaries manifest into adulthood where women are paid less for the same work a man does. It's frustrating to hear that as a society we have not progressed enough for women to have the same opportunities. Let's dive deeper into the root of this issue and find out how we can work towards change. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/championsofchangeutm/message

Accessible education is a human right. For refugee youth, especially girls, this fundamental right is oftentimes compromised because of the intense pressure to help out the family at home or through working. This further puts youth at a risk of being exploited through child labour and serves as a barrier to growth and development that education provides. Education is not only an aid to development, but it acts as the stepping stone to better career opportunities, living situations and autonomy in an individual's life. Let's explore this further! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/championsofchangeutm/message

The global climate crisis presents a need for urgent responses from institutions in all sectors. When regarding both planetary health and women's rights, there is a tendency to believe that the two exist in entirely different realms. In reality, however, the two are inextricably linked, prompting the need for policies that address these issues simultaneously. In Episode 9 of SPEAK!, our hosts are joined by Program Lead, Youth Specialist and Advocate Rodayna Abuelwafa, and Youth Advocate Charlotte Peng from Plan International Canada. - Commission on the Status of Women Climate Changemakers' Toolkit: https://plancanada.my.salesforce.com/sfc/p/#f4000001TcoR/a/5G000000NVIU/EaZrpBF2YXABJKy6pIgesnpFzGmNo4t.MUZwIs413Gk Plan International Canada's work on Climate Change: https://plancanada.ca/what-we-do/climate-change The SPEAK! podcast is one of the many initiatives of Champions of Change UTM. To learn more about our work, visit https://www.championsofchangeutm.com/ Podcast Landing Page: https://anchor.fm/championsofchangeutm Follow us on Social Media! Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/championsofchangeutm/ TikTok // https://www.tiktok.com/@championsofchangeutm LinkedIn // https://www.linkedin.com/company/champions-of-change-utm/ Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/championsofchangeutm/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/championsofchangeutm/message

Advertisements are a significant social communication medium and, as such, they socialize us into developing particular thoughts, beliefs, or ideals. In reinforcing certain ideologies or cultural perspectives, we see that advertising has far-reaching sociological, aesthetic, and philosophical consequences, to the point of actually altering the ways we experience the world around us. In Episode 8 of SPEAK!, we will be exploring how these types of advertising impact our everyday lives, with a focus on how it specifically affects marginalized groups. Joining us, we have Dr. Aidan Moir, who is a Communication and Culture professor at UTM. - The SPEAK! podcast is one of the many initiatives of Champions of Change UTM. To learn more about our work, visit https://www.championsofchangeutm.com/ Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/championsofchangeutm/ TikTok // https://www.tiktok.com/@championsofchangeutm LinkedIn // https://www.linkedin.com/company/champions-of-change-utm/ Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/championsofchangeutm/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/championsofchangeutm/message

Episode 7 of SPEAK! centers around the Digital Divide – the gap between demographics and regions that have access to modern information and communications technology, and those that have restricted access. In "Deconstructing the Digital Divide", our hosts, along with our special guest, Dr. Jayne Baker, explore the nuances of the digital divide, its causes and effects, and the role of educational and governmental institutions in addressing this issue, especially as it relates to a Canadian landscape. - The SPEAK! podcast is one of the many initiatives of Champions of Change UTM. To learn more about our work, visit https://www.championsofchangeutm.com/ Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/championsofchangeutm/TikTok // https://www.tiktok.com/@championsofchangeutmLinkedIn // https://www.linkedin.com/company/champions-of-change-utm/Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/championsofchangeutm/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/championsofchangeutm/message

In Episode 6 of SPEAK!, members of Champions of Change UTM share their personal tips and trick for not only surviving, but thriving in exam season. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, here are a few resources to get you started with accessing the help you need: Good2Talk Ontario's post-secondary student helpline: https://good2talk.ca/ UTM Health & Counselling Centre Offers personal counselling, group counselling and psychiatric care to assist students experiencing a wide range of challenges: https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/health/health-counselling-centre - The SPEAK! podcast is one of the many initiatives of Champions of Change UTM. To learn more about our work, visit https://www.championsofchangeutm.com/ Podcast Landing Page: https://anchor.fm/championsofchangeutm Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/championsofchangeutm/ TikTok // https://www.tiktok.com/@championsofchangeutm LinkedIn // https://www.linkedin.com/company/champions-of-change-utm/ Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/championsofchangeutm/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/championsofchangeutm/message

In general, the topic of mental health has obtained much currency in today's discourse, and it is a prevalent problem facing the global education system. In “Mental Health in the Classroom”, our hosts, along with our special guest, Dr. Carly Prusky, focus specifically on the wellness of students in post-secondary institutions by exploring some of the causes and effects of declining mental health, the role of educators in support and intervention, and the institutional responses we hope to see to address the current mental health crisis. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, here are a few resources to get you started with accessing the help you need: Good2Talk Ontario's post-secondary student helpline: https://good2talk.ca/ UTM Health & Counselling Centre Offers personal counselling, group counselling and psychiatric care to assist students experiencing a wide range of challenges: https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/health/health-counselling-centre - The SPEAK! podcast is one of the many initiatives of Champions of Change UTM. To learn more about our work, visit https://www.championsofchangeutm.com/ Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/championsofchangeutm/ TikTok // https://www.tiktok.com/@championsofchangeutm LinkedIn // https://www.linkedin.com/company/champions-of-change-utm/ Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/championsofchangeutm/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/championsofchangeutm/message

One of the most popular age-old trends in the media is the “Damsel in Distress” trope. In short, this archetype is a recurring narrative device in which a woman who is in some kind of danger is ‘rescued' by a male hero. It teaches girls that they are weak, violable, easily disposable, and incapable of being viewed as autonomous beings with their own independent wills. This ideal is something that is ingrained in us right from the very beginning. Today, we're taking a deep dive into what this looks like in our own lives.    -   The SPEAK! podcast is one of the many initiatives of Champions of Change UTM. To learn more about our work, visit https://www.championsofchangeutm.com/ Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/championsofchangeutm/TikTok // https://www.tiktok.com/@championsofchangeutmLinkedIn // https://www.linkedin.com/company/champions-of-change-utm/Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/championsofchangeutm/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/championsofchangeutm/message

As university students, we are uniquely situated: we sit at the bridge between late adolescence and early adulthood. In our pursuit of autonomy and self-sufficiency, many of us find ourselves overworking to the point of exhaustion in order to reach our goals. While hard work is necessary and even admirable, there's a fine line between healthy productivity and toxic productivity, which can be defined simply as “an unhealthy desire to be productive at all times, at all costs”. It involves doing things out of compulsion as opposed to necessity. In “Tackling Toxic Productivity”, our hosts discuss the influences and effects of toxic productivity, and the ways that we can all take steps towards finding a healthy work-life balance. - The SPEAK! podcast is one of the many initiatives of Champions of Change UTM. To learn more about our work, visit https://www.championsofchangeutm.com/ Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/championsofchangeutm/ TikTok // https://www.tiktok.com/@championsofchangeutm LinkedIn // https://www.linkedin.com/company/champions-of-change-utm/ Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/championsofchangeutm/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/championsofchangeutm/message

From the core values a girl “should” have, to the way they present themselves to the world, there's a certain blueprint that we are made to follow, and the consequence of rejecting this status quo is the ‘loss' of your title as a girl. Anyone who does not fit the traditional mould of femininity is not afforded the luxuries of modern girlhood. These people are not looked at as worthy of protection, worthy of value, or worthy of opportunities. In “The World of the Girl”, our hosts take a deep dive into the dynamics of traditional feminity by discussing how we define girlhood, the things we teach girls, and how that translates into the opportunities they are able to pursue as they grow up. - The SPEAK! podcast is one of the many initiatives of Champions of Change UTM. To learn more about our work, visit https://www.championsofchangeutm.com/ Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/championsofchangeutm/ TikTok // https://www.tiktok.com/@championsofchangeutm LinkedIn // https://www.linkedin.com/company/champions-of-change-utm/ Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/championsofchangeutm/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/championsofchangeutm/message

In the pilot episode of SPEAK!, we open up the discussion on period stigma. Periods are a part of us, but they do not define us or our “womanhood”. Millions of people worldwide have menstrual cycles, but it is the societal shame inflicted on them that leads to a lack of discussion in one of the most crucial, natural, human developments. Misinformation when it comes to our own bodies only leads to miscommunication between us and our cycles. To negate this stigma, we welcome Marissa Sylvester, a registered health nutritionist and certified nurse educator, who specialized in health and nutrition as it pertains to menstrual cycles. - The SPEAK! podcast is one of the many initiatives of Champions of Change UTM. To learn more about our work, visit https://www.championsofchangeutm.com/ Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/championsofchangeutm/ TikTok // https://www.tiktok.com/@championsofchangeutm Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/championsofchangeutm/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/championsofchangeutm/message

We've all heard it said that “we should be the change we want to see in the world”. For many of us, that change begins with a simple conversation. Here at Champions of Change UTM, we believe that our voices are one of the most powerful tools we have, and that is why we are extremely excited to announce the launch of our brand new podcast: SPEAK! Founded on the need for open discussion surrounding traditionally-stigmatized topics, we aim to use SPEAK! as a medium and a vehicle to drive change, promote cross-cultural awareness, and to amplify diverse voices. We want to grow as global citizens, and we want to do it together. It's a continuous journey, and we hope you'll join us for the ride. We will be releasing brand new episodes on the last Friday of every month on all your favourite streaming platforms. The SPEAK! podcast is one of the many initiatives of Champions of Change UTM. To learn more about our work, visit https://www.championsofchangeutm.com/ Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/championsofchangeutm/ TikTok // https://www.tiktok.com/@championsofchangeutm Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/championsofchangeutm/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/championsofchangeutm/message