Don highlights the importance of supporting Indigenous-led innovation and the continuing gaps in public awareness regarding Indigenous issues. He and Caitlin delve into the role of media in reconciliation, the challenges posed by misinformation, and the benefits of incorporating Indigenous knowledge in education. 

This season of Ampersand is dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the TRC and explores its lasting impacts. Through conversations with Survivors, scholars, and advocates, this season reflects on the progress made since the TRC’s final report and Calls to Action, while also addressing the challenges that remain.

Watch the interview on Youtube. 

This podcast is a project of Emdash, the small agency focused on big impact helping progressives be heard.

In this episode of Ampersand, we sit down with Amber Aglukark and Cate Macleod — Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council’s President and Executive Director — two experts on trauma-informed communications in Nunavut and Inuit Nunangat more broadly. 

Amber and Cate speak with host Caitlin about how gender equity is affected by colonial legacies, the importance of culturally relevant services, and the role of active listening and community engagement in their work. They also discuss their hope for meaningful change in the next decade.

This season of Ampersand is dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the TRC and explores its lasting impacts. Through conversations with Survivors, scholars, and advocates, this season reflects on the progress made since the TRC’s final report and Calls to Action, while also addressing the challenges that remain.

Watch the interview on Youtube.

This podcast is a project of Emdash, the small agency focused on big impact helping progressives be heard.

In this episode of Ampersand, we’re joined by Ry Moran, Canada’s inaugural Associate University Librarian – Reconciliation at the University of Victoria. Ry reflects on the challenges and triumphs of Reconciliation since his time serving with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) ten years ago. He shares his profound insights on Reconciliation, cultural resurgence, and the importance of truth-telling.

This season of Ampersand is dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the TRC and explores its lasting impacts. Through conversations with Survivors, scholars, and advocates, this season reflects on the progress made since the TRC’s final report and Calls to Action, while also addressing the challenges that remain.

Watch the interview on Youtube.

This podcast is a project of Emdash, the small agency focused on big impact helping progressives be heard.

Jackie shares her firsthand experiences with the impact of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) on Indigenous communities, and the transformative steps taken by First Nations University of Canada to integrate Indigenous knowledge systems into their curriculum. The conversation delves into the importance of truth-telling, reconciliation, and the systemic changes needed to support Indigenous students and faculty in higher education. Join us for an insightful and hopeful discussion on the future of Indigenous education and reconciliation in Canada.

This season of Ampersand is dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the TRC and explores its lasting impacts. Through conversations with Survivors, scholars, and advocates, this season reflects on the progress made since the TRC’s final report and Calls to Action, while also addressing the challenges that remain.

Watch the interview on Youtube.

This podcast is a project of Emdash, the small agency focused on big impact helping progressives be heard.

In our season two finale, we sit down with Marla Boltman, the Executive Director of Friends of Canadian Media to discuss the fight to protect Canadian media in an era dominated by U.S. tech giants. Marla shares her journey from working at a video store as a teenager to becoming a lawyer and policy advocate, explaining how her passion for Canadian content and cultural sovereignty led her to take on this critical role.

As we navigate a rapidly changing media landscape and export relationship with our southern neighbour this conversation is a must-listen for anyone invested in the future of Canadian news, content creation, and storytelling.

This podcast is a project of Emdash, the small agency focused on big impact helping progressives be heard.

This week on Ampersand, we’re joined by Samantha Rae Ayoub, Vice President of Communications and Knowledge Mobilization at the Stem Cell Network. While her work supports groundbreaking research in regenerative medicine, our conversation takes a different turn—into the world of leadership, empathy, and the unexpected intersections of communications and hospitality.

Sam shares her non-linear career path, from science communications to restaurant ownership, and how those experiences shaped her approach to storytelling, de-escalation, and mobilizing knowledge for researchers, policymakers, and the public.

This podcast is a project of Emdash, the small agency focused on big impact helping progressives be heard.

In this episode of Ampersand, we sit down with Elizabeth Shilts, the Director of Communications at the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). Elizabeth shares her perspective on the evolving role of communication in advancing Canada's research and innovation ecosystem. From navigating complex narratives to fostering transparency and public trust, her expertise provides invaluable insights for changemakers and communication professionals alike. Tune in to discover how strategic storytelling can amplify impact and drive meaningful conversations in the science and research landscape.

This podcast is a project of Emdash, the small agency focused on big impact helping progressives be heard.

In this episode of Ampersand, we dig into it with Rachel Gilmore, a journalist and investigative reporter best known for her work on Global News’s TikTok and her own popular digital videos. Rachel has innovated the medium by embracing new digital tools to reach audiences — but not without consequence. She shares her experience in the field and how her hard work has led to threats and harassment by online trolls.

This podcast is a project of Emdash, the small agency focused on big impact helping progressives be heard.

In this episode of Ampersand, we sit down with Fae Johnstone, the Executive Director of the Society of Queer Momentum, to discuss strategies to bridge the rapidly widening political divide. 

Fae draws on her experience as an award winning, stubborn powerhouse trans activist, challenging governments and institutions at all levels to address the multitude of crises facing women, 2SLGBTQ+ people and trans folks.

With a federal election on the horizon in Canada next year, it’s more important than ever to come together, hear each other out, push back and protect our democracy.

This podcast is a project of Emdash, the small agency focused on big impact helping progressives be heard.

In this episode of Ampersand, we chat with Alvin Singh, Director of Communications and Advocacy at Vancity Community Foundation, about how to mobilize people in the digital era. Is digital connection enough to get people to show up for the causes they care about? Or how can those advocating for change rally not only their supporters but also win over the convincible middle?

This podcast is a project of Emdash, the small agency focused on big impact helping progressives be heard.

In this episode of Ampersand we sit down with Laurence Miall, Pembina Institute’s  communications manager. He works to get the word out about Pembina’s policy work dedicated to reducing emissions in Canada's communities. 

Working at an established organization doesn’t make it any easier to go viral though, and we touch on the current challenges Pembina faces to break through bias in the media and ensure its research and analysis reaches policymakers, business leaders and the wider public. 

This podcast is a project of Emdash, the small agency focused on big impact helping progressives be heard.

In this episode of Ampersand, we dig into this and more with Tara Lapointe, Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement and Advancement at the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Tara shares insights from her impressive career spanning arts, culture, and academic research, and provides valuable lessons for communicators navigating the challenges of translating complex research into accessible language.

This podcast is a project of Emdash, the small agency focused on big impact helping progressives be heard.

In this episode of Ampersand, we have the pleasure of speaking with Nicole MacAdam, Vice President Communications at World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF-Canada). Nicole is an award-winning communications executive with a proven track record of professional excellence and a passion for innovative digital storytelling. She gives us the inside scoop on how WWF-Canada comes up with some of their most creative ideas — like their campaign to turn down the volume on underwater noise. 

This podcast is a project of Emdash, the small agency focused on big impact helping progressives be heard.

In this episode of Ampersand, we are joined by the wonderfully brilliant Hillory Tenute, CEO of The Lodge and a Senior Associate at Emdash. Hillory speaks to common misconceptions and errors in the approach to reconciliation and reciprocity with Indigenous communities. Through a deep dive into historical contexts, current challenges, and practical strategies, Hillory helps listeners to reshape understanding, foster genuine allyship, and guide organizations towards actions that truly support Indigenous sovereignty, rights, and well-being.

This episode was recorded live as part of our Upskill With Emdash series.

This podcast is a project of Emdash, the small agency focused on big impact helping progressives be heard.

In this episode of Ampersand, we dig into the ethics of AI with Kat Zhou (creator of the Designing Ethically project) and Dr. Jason Millar (Canada Research Chair in the Ethical Engineering of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, University of Ottawa). Our guests bring both lived experience of working and studying the tech industry responsible for the latest innovations in software engineering, and offer wise words for communicators having to navigate these new tools thoughtfully. 

This episode is dedicated to MediaSmarts, Canada's centre for digital and media literacy. 

If you’d like to support their work, the best way you can do so is through a donation if you’re able.

This podcast is a project of Emdash, the small agency focused on big impact helping progressives be heard.

But saying you believe in DEI isn’t enough.

In this episode of Ampersand, we unpack this with Sharon Nyangweso (CEO of QuakeLab, an end-to-end inclusion agency) and Kai Scott (President and Co-Founder of TransFocus Consulting, which supports organizations with gender diversity and inclusion). We get into the details of what communicators and designers need to know to employ a DEI lens and serve equity deserving groups, both internally within our workplaces, as well as in the work that we do.

This episode is dedicated to the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity. 

If you’d like to support their work, the best way you can do so is through a donation if you’re able.

This podcast is a project of Emdash, the small agency focused on big impact helping progressives be heard.

At Emdash we’ve had the honour of working on projects involving residential school Survivors and families impacted by gender-based violence. Through this work we’ve learned the need to communicate with respect, sensitivity, and tact. 

In this episode of Ampersand, we’re joined by Brenda Reynolds (Mental Health Consultant and Former Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Health Support Liaison) and Brenda Gunn (Academic and Research Director for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation) for a deeply-needed discussion about the importance of taking a trauma-informed approach to projects such as these. 

Content warning: This episode discusses residential schools and residential school Survivors, which we know are painful topics for many. For immediate emotional support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Survivors and their families are encouraged to contact the National Residential Schools Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419. Indigenous peoples can also access the Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 for toll-free, 24/7 counselling and crisis intervention.

This episode is dedicated to the Indian Residential School Survivors' Society. 

If you’d like to support their work, the best way you can do so is through a donation if you’re able.

This podcast is a project of Emdash, the small agency focused on big impact helping progressives be heard.

Content warning: This episode discusses residential schools and residential school Survivors, which we know are painful topics for many. For immediate emotional support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Survivors and their families are encouraged to contact the National Residential Schools Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419. Indigenous peoples can also access the Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 for toll-free, 24/7 counselling and crisis intervention.

This episode is dedicated to Velma's House — a 24/7 safe house based in Winnipeg on Treaty One territory.

If you’d like to support their work, the best way you can do so is through a donation if you’re able.

This podcast is a project of Emdash, the small agency focused on big impact helping progressives be heard.