Vancouver Know Your Neighbour

Seth Bunev studies how the cultures which shape us changes over time, a confluence of history and psychology. We talked about the importance of our mental awareness, how to observe our patterns of digital use, and in what ways can we take control over it. His new book Screenfarers: Nurturing Deliberate Action in a Digital world, offers practical exercises to analyze the effects of internet on our lives.

 A conversation about Death with Thomas Esakin, Spiritual Director/Companion. Why do we fear death? How, when we morn for the lose of our loved ones, we actually morn for our own selves. How can we create a lifestyle where death can be embraced as a natural part of our existence that it is. And finally by embracing and accepting death, we can live a meaningful life.  In this extended version, Tom asks me about my relationship with death.

A conversation about Death with Thomas Esakin, Spiritual Director/Companion. Why do we fear death? How, when we morn for the lose of our loved ones, we actually morn for our own selves. How can we create a lifestyle where death can be embraced as a natural part of our existence that it is. And finally by embracing and accepting death, we can live a meaningful life.

This is a very short episode about how I failed to come up with an episode, and accepting it.

Justin was homeless for 5 years when he first moved to Vancouver. He embraced the struggles that came with it, found what gave him joy, and has a place to live now. He goes back to the community every day to give and help them in any way that he can.

Kathleen Gros is a cartoonist living in Vancouver. She is the President of Cloudscape, Vancouver-based charitable organization, and a wonderful space for comic artists. We talked about her work, what graphic novels means to her, and her message "just go for it" for people who are looking to enter this field.

David Gowman, Mr. Fire Man makes wood horns (FuHorns), and has his workshop- Oncle Hoonki's Fabulous Hornshop at MacLean Park Fieldhouse. He talks about how he engages the community around him through that space, the experience of carving his first wood horn, and he was happy to play his favorite horn.

Thaddée Bergler is a Program Manager at Fraser Health Crisis Line. In this episode we talk about the importance of social connections on mental health. And how crisis line can be a great place for anyone who needs help.You may call Fraser Health Crisis Line at 604-951-8855, 1-877-820-7444 (toll free).BC Provincial Crisis Line- 1800 for suicide and 310 for mental health.

To celebrate the 10th episode of my podcast, I want to take you all through the journey so far. A Behind the scene episode of how's. How did this podcast come about? How do I find my guests? And how do I come up with questions for each story?

Marina is a passionate photographer. Photos are a way for her to actually know someone. The emotions conveyed through eyes say more about a person sometimes than when you have a conversation, she said. She tries to capture that moment every time. Tune in to know how her interest in photography developed, and what brings her to Vancouver.

Alexander Daughtry has been a member of Spartacus Books since 1976. The bookstore was formed at that time as a space for people with different points of views and ideologies to coexist, and work together. Alexander's commitment to work for it, and the need to get valid information into people's hands is what binds him to the bookstore. Apart from that, he shares his experiences of growing up in the times of huge movements and rallies in Vancouver.

Chef Ravkaran Singh, who goes by the name RV, has traveled around the world and experienced different cultures, but he says he feels most connected to South Americans. That is where he would love to live some day. He talks about what he loves as a part of being a chef, and gives us some hard lessons about it as well.

Cate Jones is the founder of Trinity Street Christmas Lights Competition. It was born out of the need to create a strong community among their neighbours, and build trust after a tragic incident. The street is lit every year during the Christmas season. Cate Jones walks us through the festive mood in their neighbourhood around this time.

Mandy has been working with community childcare since 2007. She talked about her emotional journey of caring for the kids. She has extensively worked with children with autism. She gave us some insights into their personality, and how to care for them.

Sarah Schlegelmilch is an architectural designer and a DJ-producer. She is originally from Omaha, Nebraska USA. She talks about her production, Shades of Day music, how does mixing music make her feel, and what plans she has going forward with it.

Dave Gunawan, a very well-know chef in Vancouver, who started his career with Farmer's Apprentice, which won multiple awards from Vancouver Magazine. He's currently running Ubuntu's Canteen on Fraser Street. In this, he talks about his journey to becoming a chef, what food means to him, and the highs and lows he has experienced in his life, which ultimately made him the person he is today.

John Krotez is a life long learner, who is regularly held speechless by the beauty and complexity of our physical and psychological experiences as a human being. But first and foremost he is a family man. In this, he talks about the bond that he shares with his son.

Farbod Biglari is the music composer of this podcast. Although music ran in his family for generations, it was not his first choice growing up as a kid in Tehran, Iran. In this, he talks about his journey with music, and what he plans to do with it going forward in Canada.