The Journey's Gift Podcast Catherinanne George, Lissette Ochoa, with Jean Bageire and Grace Estrada ~Album Art Rebecca Seaby, Lead Artist.

This episode of  The Journey's Gift is released in celebration of Black History Month, celebrating students and their achievements.   Though released on February 27th, this episode was recorded prior to the invasion of Ukraine.  Our hearts go out to the people of Ukraine and to those in Russia impacted by the actions of their government.  We implore those in power to act toward peace in the world. 

Journey with us as we explore our place in the world, unpacking current issues and gifts in discussion with Olympian Samantha Roberts who shares with us her journey as an Olympian, her study and experience of systems and barriers, and what we need to do to work toward breaking them.         

Olympian and Brescia student Samantha Roberts shares some of her perspectives and journey toward breaking barriers.  Samantha swam Women’s 50 Metre Freestyle for Antigua & Barbuda in Rio 2016 and in Tokyo 2020 making her a participant in one of the most unique games in history.  (You’ll recall that the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games took place in 2021 due to Covid.)  Samantha was the youngest member of Antigua & Barbuda’s 2016 Olympic team, and the flagbearer for Antigua at the 2020 Games.  
Samantha is a 4th year international student from Antigua, with a large extended family in Holland.  She is completing a double major in Psychology and Criminal Justice, and is passionate about working with juveniles, focused on keeping them out of the Criminal Justice System and providing alternate pathways and supports for them as they face challenges in life.  She is also passionate about working toward supporting more black women at the elite level of competitive swimming.  She especially wants to inspire us, knowing we can each contribute toward breaking barriers to create a more inclusive field for everyone. 

We are delighted to bring you this meaningful and inspiring conversation with Olympian Samantha Roberts.

Original Music by iain asio. Lead Artist, Album Art, Rebecca Seaby.  Lead Artist, Logo, Xuanqiao ‘Flora’ Wang

Journey with us as we explore our place in the world, unpacking current issues and gifts in discussion with Ursuline, Dr. Marie-Anne Quenneville—Sr. Marie-Anne's work across academic and community settings explores the power of spirituality, quantum physics, and infinite potential, while highlighting the importance of education, alternative learning opportunities, perseverance amid challenges, and the importance of personal growth.     

Sr. Marie-Anne Quenneville, life-long educator and innovator shares her perspectives and wisdom, elements of her life’s work, teaching, and support of people in their growth.  Her experience as a child led Sr. Marie-Anne to take initiative in ensuring she could pursue learning opportunities which opened the discernment of a call to teaching and a desire to journey with students as they explore spirituality and growth.  Sr. Marie-Anne is 93 and is still teaching, even in isolation!  Following her formal experience as a professor, she has taught for nearly another 30 years, leading others through workshops and online classes.  Helping people grow as find the way through challenges and the many shifts and turns of life, she is focused on the gift of transition and conversion, and on the power of spirituality with infinite potential.  Sr. Marie-Anne shares how we can grow personally and spiritually while making a difference for others and connecting to the world at non-local and mystical levels. 

We are delighted to bring you this meaningful and critical conversation with Sr. Marie-Anne Quenneville.

Original Music by iain asio. Lead Artist, Album Art, Rebecca Seaby.  Lead Artist, Logo, Xuanqiao ‘Flora’ Wang

This episode is released following International Student Week, and in honour of the Founding of the Ursulines 486 years ago.  We honour our international legacy, our Ursuline roots, and the Ursulines.  With this episode  focused on hope and survival, we commit ourselves to education, awareness, and action against racism.

Journey with us as we explore our place in the world, unpacking current issues and gifts in discussion with  Cecily Alexander, educator, author and academic writer, and share some of her perspectives and wisdom with you.  Cecily moved to Canada over 50 years ago from Trinidad and Tobago.  Cecily shares how we can make a difference for others as we explore her experiences immigrating to Canada and surviving hardships like racism and microaggressions in different stages of her life.  She shares a look into her life in her book: Immigration, Race and Survival. From Trinidad to Canada: Living in Parallel Worlds.

"Her simple, frank writing style made me feel her pain and realize the incredible strength that victims of racism must have to survive."  Andrew Camman

Cecily has her Masters in Business Administration (MBA), and specialized in Organizational Behaviour.  She is guided in part by a passion for education, mentorship, raising awareness of racism, and allyship.  She taught courses in Management, Principles of Management, Selected Topics in Management - including Diversity.  and courses in Organizational Behaviour. 

We are delighted to bring you this meaningful and critical conversation with Cecily Alexander. 


Original Music by iain asio.  Lead Artist, Album Art: Rebecca Seaby.   Lead Artist, Logo: Xuanqiao ‘Flora’ Wang

Journey with us as we explore our place in the world, unpacking current issues and gifts in discussion with Ursuline, Dr. Mary Frances Dorschell—Sr. Mary Frances' work across academic and community settings explores the power of community along our journey, while highlighting the relationships we are called to build, the value of students, and the importance of supportive interactions with each and every member.      

Sr. Mary Frances Dorschell, professor emerita, and Ursuline educator, shares elements of her life’s work, teaching, and community support.  Her journey has included several degrees, time as an international student, the creation of the French for Teaching Program at Brescia, and many facets of administration, leadership and support to campus and community.  Her experience in education led Sr. Mary Frances to discover a call to teaching and a desire to journey with students as they explore life and their pathways.  She is excited to share her experience with us, just as she did throughout campus and with students in “The Supper Club”.  We miss our daily interactions with her and know that this “virtual” return to campus in The Journey’s Gift will be a gift to all those on campuses and beyond!         

Original Music by iain asio. Lead Artist, Album Art, Rebecca Seaby.  Lead Artist, Logo, Xuanqiao ‘Flora’ Wang

This episode is released during the Week for Truth and Reconciliation.  We honour the First Peoples of Turtle Island and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.  We commit ourselves to education, awareness, and action.

Journey with us as we explore our place in the world, unpacking current issues and gifts in discussion with Grace Estrada—Grace's life, beautifully expressed in her work and studies between Medicine and Community Development, explores the gift of awareness and the journey to inclusion, while highlighting hope through challenging times and the voice and engagement of community as critical paths to inclusion.   Grace is guided in part by a passion for sustainable development, diversity, equity and inclusion, anti-oppression initiatives, and social justice.

Grace Estrada is an atypical learner, returning to studies for a new degree as an international student in Community Development.  Grace has had a complex journey, including many facets of self-discovery. Her studies in Medicine and experience in community-health outreach led Grace to discover a passion for community engagement and a desire to bridge inequalities faced by those who have been most marginalized. Choosing to be a mature student and to return to school in another country, as she continues this journey, has opened many pathways for Grace and she is excited to share these with us. She feels that sharing these steps may help others to find their own calling, and to develop new pathways, especially those who are atypical students or who may return to study later in life.


Original Music by iain asio.  Lead Artist, Album Art: Rebecca Seaby.   Lead Artist, Logo: Xuanqiao ‘Flora’ Wang

Journey with us as we explore our place in the world, unpacking current issues and gifts in discussion with Dr. Yvonne Asare-Bediako—Dr. Asare-Bediako's work across academic and community settings explores the power of voice along our journey, while highlighting health education and research in social inequality and mental health.      

Dr. Asare-Bediako is a health educator and researcher with over 15 years of experience working across academic and community settings to translate research evidence into practice. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology, with expertise in social inequality and mental health.  A Black immigrant woman with a passion for system reform and social justice, Yvonne is intentional in her work with racialized women and has led several innovative projects that foster service equity and psychosocial wellbeing.  She currently manages a social entrepreneurship that is invested in providing culturally-grounded services to Black-identifying persons. Her utmost ambition is to project the voices of those who are usually absent at the decision table; a value she enjoys inculcating into her students while fulfilling one of her greatest passions - Teaching. Dr. Asare Bediako has not only been a leader in Women’s education, through her thought-provoking and insightful lectures she has also motivated her students to think critically and engage actively in society. 

Original Music by iain asio. Lead Artist, Album Art, Rebecca Seaby.  Lead Artist, Logo, Xuanqiao ‘Flora’ Wang