Podcasts with purpose

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Channel • 8 Shows

Documentary

Documentary

Updated twice weekly
Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Every two weeks
Documentary

Documentary

Updated weekly
Hockey

Hockey

Updated weekly
Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Every two weeks
Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Weekly series
Documentary

Documentary

Weekly series

11 MAR

Accessible Recruiting and Hiring with Erika Shea

Join host Corrie Melanson for a thought-provoking conversation with Erika Shea, Executive Director of New Dawn Enterprises, as they explore how one of Cape Breton’s largest community-centred employers is reimagining accessible recruitment and hiring, from the job posting to the first day and beyond. With over 200 staff across 17 nonprofit entities, New Dawn doesn’t just fill roles; it builds community. Erika shares how the organisation has moved beyond inherited hiring norms to create processes that are transparent, flexible, and deeply human. Key topics include: Why posting salary and benefits upfront attracts the right candidates, and builds trust from day oneHow a 32-hour work week with full-time pay supports whole lives, not just productivityThe power of sending interview questions in advance and why interviews shouldn’t feel like pop quizzesCreating low-stakes, ongoing conversations about neurodivergence, disability, and what people need to thriveWhy the interview itself is your first chance to show your culture, and how small gestures make a big differenceMoving from shame to safety: how openness about disability strengthens teams and trust Whether you’re in HR, leadership, or simply believe work should work for everyone, this episode is full of actionable ideas and refreshing honesty about building hiring practices that are not only accessible but truly welcoming. Ready to rethink recruitment? Listen now.

11 Mar

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37 min
25 FEB

Accessible Customer Service with Bianca Go and Heather Wilkinson

Join host Corrie Melanson for a practical and inspiring conversation with Heather Wilkinson from Wonder’neath Art Society and Bianca Goh from the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) as they explore what accessible customer service really means and how organisations of any size can get it right. From a vibrant community art studio to a province-wide retailer, Heather and Bianca share real-world strategies for making every interaction welcoming, responsive, and genuinely inclusive. Whether you serve clients, customers, participants, or the public, this episode is packed with ideas you can apply right away. Key topics include: How to move beyond compliance and build a culture of access, one small step at a timeThe power of low-sensory experiences, and what NSLC learned from its pilot projectSimple adaptations that make a big difference: from rubber bands on wine bottles to foam mats for service dogsWhy training matters, and how partnering with organisations like CNIB builds staff confidenceCreating “accessibility guides” for your space so people know what to expect before they arriveHow to solicit and act on feedback, turning mistakes into momentumThe role of relationship-building in accessibility: it’s not just about the door, it’s about the dialogue Whether you run a small nonprofit, a large public service, or a local business, this episode will leave you with actionable ideas, relatable stories, and the encouragement to start where you are and keep learning. Ready to make your service truly accessible? Listen now.

25 Feb

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37 min
25 MAR

Accessible Retention and Career Development with Jeff Overmars

Join host Corrie Melanson for an enlightening discussion with Jeff Overmars, a seasoned public service professional and advocate, as they delve into the essential yet often overlooked aspects of accessible retention and career development for people with disabilities. Jeff draws from nearly 20 years of experience in government, his role as co-chair of the Nova Scotia Disability Employee Network, and his personal perspective as an employee with low vision to unpack what truly happens after the hiring process ends. Key topics include: Why retention begins on day one, and the pitfalls of assuming onboarding is “one and done”Moving beyond accommodations to proactive support: asking “What helps you thrive?”The impact of remote work flexibility and why return-to-office mandates risk excluding talented employeesHow performance planning can serve as an ongoing conversation, not just an annual reviewIntroducing the “purple flag” tool to interrupt bias without shame or blameThe role of employee resource groups in fostering culture change and collective advocacy Whether you’re a manager, HR professional, or advocate, this episode offers practical insights and relatable examples to help build workplaces where everyone can grow, contribute, and stay. Ready to move beyond hiring and truly support career development for people with disabilities? Listen now.

25 Mar

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46 min
23/04/2024

Accommodations in the Workplace

This episode we sit down with Ursula Mogensen who is a queer, non-binary human with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). They share their experiences with a late diagnosis of ADHD, the supports at work that help them thrive, and the challenges and benefits of being Neurodivergent. This podcast is made possible by Sea Change CoLab. Sea Change CoLab supports leaders and teams across private, public, and impact-driven sectors to learn sustainable ways that spark meaningful change and create learning experiences that reflect the diversity of our world and have equitable systems and inclusive cultures where everyone belongs. Go to https://seachangecolab.com/ to learn more. This podcast is hosted by Corrie Melanson, Learning Experience Designer, at Sea Change CoLab. Produced by Podstarter. Full transcript available here (https://share.transistor.fm/s/bf0551ce/transcript.txt)

23/04/2024

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40 min
31/12/2025

Accessible Digital Communications with Kirsten Dodd and Garth Holmes

Join host Corey for an insightful conversation with digital accessibility experts Garth Holmes, co-founder of Be Responsive Media, and Kirsten Dodd, CEO of Haynova, as they tackle one of the most overlooked yet essential aspects of inclusion: making the digital world accessible to everyone. Drawing from decades of experience in web development, design, and inclusive technology, Garth and Kirsten move beyond compliance checklists to explore the human impact of digital barriers—and how to remove them. Key topics include: Why third-party tools and platforms are often the biggest roadblocks to accessibility and how to advocate for changeThe power of auditing with people who have disabilities and how it transformed the ACE Project websiteHow inaccessible apps during COVID-19 put people at risk and why digital access is a matter of food security, health, and dignityDebunking the myth that accessibility limits creativity and how it actually strengthens your brand and user experiencePractical, low-cost ways to start: from browser extensions like WAVE to listening to your site with a screen readerWhy empathy, not just compliance, drives lasting change, and how to build it into your team’s processWhere to find grants and resources in Nova Scotia to support your accessibility journey Whether you’re a developer, designer, marketer, or business leader, this episode is packed with real stories, actionable strategies, and a clear message: digital accessibility isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have for reaching and respecting your entire community. Ready to make your digital space truly inclusive? Listen now.

31/12/2025

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32 min
13/08/2024

Accessibility Confident Leaders

Henk and Thivjan are both Executive Directors (ED) of organizations that support people with intellectual disabilities. Henk is the ED of DASC Dartmouth Adult Services Centre (DASC), a social enterprise. Thivjan is the ED of Inclusion Nova Scotia. The three have a conversation about what it means to be an accessibility confident leader in Nova Scotia, and the importance of valuing and empowering people with disabilities to advocate for themselves and create an accessible future. This podcast is made possible by Sea Change CoLab. Sea Change CoLab supports leaders and teams across private, public, and impact-driven sectors to learn sustainable ways that spark meaningful change and create learning experiences that reflect the diversity of our world and have equitable systems and inclusive cultures where everyone belongs. Go to https://seachangecolab.com/ to learn more. This podcast is hosted by Corrie Melanson, Learning Experience Designer, at Sea Change CoLab. Produced by Podstarter. Full transcript available here (https://accessibilityally.transistor.fm/s1/10/transcript)

13/08/2024

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39 min
02/12/2023

Mid-Season Check In

In this short mid-Season check in host Dean and producer Rhys discuss the season so far, and what is yet to come! My Hockey Hero is proudly supported by eBay Canada. Start your own collection at ebay.ca/hockeycards To learn more on how you can help make hockey accessible to all, check out hockeyequality.org The see the Black Hockey card collection and learn more go to www.blackhockeycards.com Want to here more? The extended interview can be found at Recognize: Black Heroes of the NHL Produced by Podstarter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

02/12/2023

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12 min
25/04/2023

Brian Johnson

Brian Johnson was born in 1960 in Montreal, Quebec. As a child he was exposed the rich African Nova Scotian hockey heritage. when visiting family for long summers. He played for the Detroit Red Wings in the 1984-85 season. He also had a long career in the minor leagues through the 1980s, My Hockey Hero is proudly supported by eBay Canada. Start your own collection at ebay.ca/hockeycards To learn more on how you can help make hockey accessible to all, check out hockeyequality.org The see the Black Hockey card collection and learn more go to www.blackhockeycards.com Want to here more? The extended interview can be found at Recognize: Black Heroes of the NHL Produced by Podstarter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25/04/2023

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18 min
19/10/2022

Our Unhoused Neighbours May Not Be Who You Think They Are - GUEST: Andy Reed

Did this episode get you thinking, or did we miss the mark? Let us know by leaving us a message on SpeakPipe. Jake and Chris dig a bit deeper on the topic of homelessness and unhoused neighbours. Are the stereotypes society holds about citizens who are unhoused accurate? Or maybe, anyone of us could find ourselves unhoused depending on life events. To explore this question, Andy Reed joins the podcast to share his story of finding himself ‘homeless’.Andy Reed is the International Trade and Incentives Program Manager with Prosper Portland and an adjunct Instructor with the Portland State University, where he has taught 65+ courses since 2002. Who are the ‘displaced’ or unhoused? Could it happen to you? We think you’ll be surprised and shocked to hear Andy’s story. For more information:https://www.rw.institute/ Follow Disorienting Dilemma on Twitter:@podcastdilemma Resources/materials: Portland has a Homelessness Crisis: “An estimated 5,228 people are experiencing homelessness in Portland, according to Multnomah County's 2022 Point-in-Time Count of Homelessness. With only approximately 1,365 shelter beds available you see many people living in tents, vehicles, and on sidewalks across the city.” Homelessness in the Portland Region: “Portland’s second crisis is worse than that in most other places, and it has two causes: an under-supplied regional housing market and an unresponsive, discretionary rental assistance program. The two crises require different strategies and tactics.” Liberal US cities including Portland change course, now clearing homeless camps: “The mayor of Portland, Oregon, recently banned camping on the sides of certain roadways, and officials are exploring other aggressive options to combat homelessness.” History of Racist Planning in Portland: How historical racist land use planning contributed to racial segregation and inequity for people of colour in Portland. The Pain of Social Rejection: As far as the brain is concerned, a broken heart may not be so different from a broken arm. “As researchers have dug deeper into the roots of rejection, they’ve found surprising evidence that the pain of being excluded is not so different from the pain of physical injury. Rejection also has serious implications for an individual’s psychological state and for society in general. Social rejection can influence emotion, cognition and even physical health. Ostracized people sometimes become aggressive and can turn to violence.” Social Pain and Physical Pain: In this video, we can see the MRI results of social rejection and physical pain on the human brain (the way it reacts) which are found to be very similar. TED TALKS: The Issue of Homelessness: A basic primer on some of the hows and whys, solutions and struggles surrounding the conversation on homelessness.

19/10/2022

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45 min
24/02/2021

What the Hell is Wrong with Chris? Workplace Equity and Power Dynamics

Chris experiences a disorienting dilemma upon learning that his aggressive, straightforward approach in work meetings does not always translate well. For more info and show notes, click here.

24/02/2021

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36 min

Purpose driven storytelling that builds awareness, advocacy and action.