YXE Underground

Eric Anderson

An original podcast featuring interviews with people who are doing amazing things in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, but are flying under the radar. Former CBC journalist is Eric Anderson is the creator, host and producer of the podcast.

  1. Season Eight - Episode Nine - OUT Saskatoon's Newcomer Support Group

    MAY 14

    Season Eight - Episode Nine - OUT Saskatoon's Newcomer Support Group

    Hello and welcome to Season 8, Episode 9 of YXE Underground. I’m Eric Anderson, and welcome to OUT Saskatoon’s Newcomer Support Group. It is a snowy, bitterly cold Thursday night in April, but in the OUT Saskatoon’s headquarters, their main gathering space is packed with people from across the world. This support group started last May and offers LGBTQ newcomers and refugees a safe space to not only learn about Saskatoon and Canada, but as you will hear in this episode, the group is providing community and friendship to those who come.  Once a month, Iris Akbar welcomes people to the group and leads them through different topics and activities. It could be an art activity or a discussion on how best to survive a Saskatchewan winter. On this night, Iris has invited two-Spirit Elder Shelley Belhumeur, to speak and share about Indigenous knowledge and history.  Shelley begins the night by asking people to introduce themselves and share where they are from. Most people in the room are from African nations such as Nigeria and Ghana.  The person behind this Newcomer Support Group is Iris Akbar. Iris, who uses he/she pronouns, immigrated to Saskatchewan with his partner from Singapore; a country where same-sex marriage and civil unions are not recognized.  Iris started working at OUT Saskatoon in 2019 and was passionate about helping LGBTQ newcomers and refugees get the supports they needed in our city. He was about to start a Newcomer Support Group when the Covid-19 pandemic hit and put that on hold.  When the pandemic ended, Iris continued to help helping newcomers and refugees at OUT Saskatoon in a volunteer capacity; not only in terms of finding supports in Saskatoon, but to make connections and friendships in the community. Iris started the Newcomer Support Group in May of 2025. As you will hear, what started as a small gathering has now grown into a vibrant collection of people who are eager to learn about their new home and make meaningful connections.  The episode features a conversation I had with Iris a few weeks after I met him at the Newcomer Support Group. We met at Tastebuds Café on Lorne Avenue on a beautiful sunny day; so nice in fact we sat out on the patio! You will also meet people who were at the Newcomer Support Group that chilly April evening and hear why this group means so much to them.  If you want to learn more about the important work being done at OUT Saskatoon, please visit their website at outsaskatoon.ca If you have enjoyed this episode and are a fan of the podcast, please feel free to leave a glowing 5-star review and share it with your friends. Word of mouth is, I think, the best way to share podcasts, and so I really do appreciate your support in spreading the word about YXE Underground. You can find the podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Simply search YXE Underground. Thank you for supporting a local, independent podcast here in Saskatoon.  Cheers...Eric   Host, Producer, Editor: Eric AndersonTheme Music: Andrew DicksonWebsite: https://www.yxeunderground.comRecorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

    39 min
  2. Bonus Episode - Behind Closed Doors

    APR 30 ·  BONUS

    Bonus Episode - Behind Closed Doors

    "Every day is a new, exciting challenge. I am having a great time doing it, but it is a challenge." Anita Smith has been creating live theatre for nearly 30 years. She is the Executive and Artistic Director of the 25th Street Theatre Company and loves providing Saskatchewan artists the opportunity to tell their stories and showcase their skills.  The company's latest production, however, is pushing Anita and her team to their limits.  Behind Closed Doors takes people to six different sites across Saskatoon to explore unseen conversations and gives them a chance to experience in a performance in a unique venue specific to the story. Each play is 20 minutes, has limited capacity (we're talking 6-8 people per venue), and will no doubt make the impression on audience members.  Anita and 25th Street Theatre is committed to supporting Saskatchewan playwrights and Behind Closed Doors is giving six playwrights the chance to share their voices with our community. I am a huge fan of Anita as an artist and a person, and any opportunity to talk with her on the podcast is one that I will take. She graciously took time in-between her many duties to speak with me on the University of Saskatchewan campus to tell listeners about Behind Closed Doors and why people will never forget watching a play in a bathroom! Here are the six plays and their locations in Saskatoon, and you can purchase tickets on the 25th Street Theatre website.  Historical “Friends” by Kaydence Banga. At The Senator Hotel. Directed by Jennifer Brewin. Fallen Women by Marley Duckett. In Kirk Hall, USASK. Directed by Pamela Haig Bartley. Hiring by Mitchell Larsen. At The Two Twenty. Directed by Murray Utas. First On, Last Off by Clare Middleton. On a bus at Louis’ Pub, USASK. Directed by Pamela Haig Bartley. Another Day on the Diamond by Drew Mantyka. At Gordie Howe Sports Complex. Directed by Murray Utas This Is It by Cheyenna Sapp. At Louis’ Pub, USASK. Directed by Jennifer Brewin Thank you for continuing to support a local, independent podcast! Cheers...Eric  Host, Producer, Editor: Eric AndersonTheme Music: Andrew DicksonWebsite: https://www.yxeunderground.comRecorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

    17 min
  3. Season Eight - Episode Eight - YWCA Saskatoon Hopeful Hearts Home

    APR 23

    Season Eight - Episode Eight - YWCA Saskatoon Hopeful Hearts Home

    Welcome to the YWCA Saskatoon's Hopeful Hearts Home program. The program takes place in a four-story building that opened last year and is a transitional housing wing attached to the main YWCA building.  The Hopeful Hearts Home program provides women and their families with a safe home in a nurturing environment to heal from experiences of interpersonal violence. There are 35 suites in the building that can house up to 75 people, and it is truly making a difference in the lives of the women and children who call it home.  Mirna Funes-Klaasen is the Manager of Hopeful Hearts, and as you will hear in this episode, is passionate about helping women and children in need access the many services provided by the YWCA. Whether it’s the Employment and Learning Centre in the YWCA, or the cultural supports offered within the Hopeful Hearts Home that you will hear about in the episode, Mirna wants women to feel supported and cared for when they enter the program.  I first heard of Hopeful Hearts Home in October of 2023. That’s when I interviewed Kim Fisher for the podcast. Kim is the Director of Residential Programs at the YWCA, and in her episode, she talked about looking out her office window and imaging a building that could meet the transitional housing needs of the community. It took years of fundraising and hard work behind the scenes, but that dream is now a reality, and Kim is so happy that her long-time colleague, Mirna, is managing Hopeful Hearts Home. A big thank you to Mirna for taking the time to share her passion for the Hopeful Hearts Home program with me on the podcast. If you want to learn more about the program, and how you can become a volunteer, please visit the YWCA Saskatoon's website.  You can follow and listen to YXE Underground wherever you find your favourite podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or the website. Don’t forget to leave a 5-star review if you like what you hear.  You can follow YXE Underground on social media. Simply search YXE Underground on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to check out photos and videos from the podcast.  Thank you for continuing to support a local, independent podcast! Cheers...Eric  Host, Producer, Editor: Eric AndersonTheme Music: Andrew DicksonWebsite: https://www.yxeunderground.comRecorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

    38 min
  4. Bonus Episode - Craig Silliphant and Don Sparrow - 'How Chee' Documentary

    MAR 30 ·  BONUS

    Bonus Episode - Craig Silliphant and Don Sparrow - 'How Chee' Documentary

    Growing up in Swift Current, I never saw the infamous Great Buffet of China television ad that aired all the time from 1996 to 1998, but Craig Silliphant and Don Sparrow sure did.  They remember seeing it in the mornings before university, at supper during the news, and into the wee hours of the night.  The story of how this advertisement came to be, the impact it had on those involved in the production of the advertisement, and why it became a viral hit in China, are all touched on in Craig's new documentary film, 'How Chee.'  The film debuts at the Broadway Theatre on Thursday, April 2nd, at 7pm, but Craig was kind enough of take time out of his busy schedule to join me at the Yard and Flagon Pub to give YXE Underground listeners a preview of the documentary and why he wanted to tell this story. Saskatoon artist Don Sparrow, who designed the documentary's poster, joined us at the Yard and Flagon to share his memories of the advertisement and why it is such a memorable piece of nostalgia for so many people in Saskatoon.  I am lucky to call Craig and Don my friends. They are both gifted storytellers and two of the most creative people I know. They also recognize how lucky we are in Saskatoon to have such a passionate community of creative people who support each-other in their artistic endeavours. It was a blast speaking with them and learning about this truly unique slice of Saskatoon pop culture.  You can visit the Broadway Theatre website to get your tickets for Thursday night's screening, which includes a special Q&A after the film featuring Craig and several of the characters in the film.  Thank you for listening and hope to see you Thursday night. Congrats on the film, Craig!  Cheers...Eric  Host, Producer, Editor: Eric AndersonTheme Music: Andrew DicksonWebsite: https://www.yxeunderground.comRecorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

    38 min
  5. Season Eight - Episode Seven - Wayne Pilon

    MAR 19

    Season Eight - Episode Seven - Wayne Pilon

    It’s a Tuesday afternoon and the commercial kitchen at Mount Royal Collegiate is filled with grade 11 and 12 students preparing a restaurant quality meal under the careful and encouraging eye of Wayne Pilon.  Wayne teaches the commercial cooking program, along with the high school’s food skills and sewing classes (he is also the school's Athletic Director), and today he is dividing up the students into three stations: protein, vegetables, and sauces.  The kitchen has everything students would expect to see in a restaurant kitchen. Stoves and ovens are turned on and ready for use, knives are sharpened, and supplies are stored in large, walk-in freezers.  This is one of Wayne Pilon’s happy places.  Wayne grew up in restaurant kitchens. He loves the controlled chaos and communication of a busy kitchen, and he brings that passion every day to his students.  Wayne is teaching his students more than just the joys and challenges of cooking. He’s instilling them with confidence and showing them the benefits of teamwork and communication; qualities that will reach far beyond the kitchen for these students.  I spoke with Wayne in his classroom over his lunch break before his commercial cooking class got going in the kitchen. Wayne is such a personable guy and a gifted storyteller, and I really loved learning about his commitment to connecting students to Saskatchewan’s natural pantry of ingredients.  Please feel free to leave a 5-star review of YXE Underground if you like what you hear, and don't forget to tell your friends to like and follow YXE Underground on their favourite podcast app. Listen to YXE Underground wherever you listen to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or the YXE Underground website.  Thank you for continuing to support a local, independent podcast here in Saskatoon. I really do appreciate it. Best of luck to Wayne and his students on the rest of their semester! They prepared a heck of a meal in this episode! Cheers...Eric  Host, Producer, Editor: Eric AndersonTheme Music: Andrew DicksonWebsite: https://www.yxeunderground.comRecorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

    45 min
  6. Bonus Episode - Tennille and Lydia Corbett

    MAR 7 ·  BONUS

    Bonus Episode - Tennille and Lydia Corbett

    I am very excited to share a conversation with you featuring two wonderful people who you met a few years ago. Tennille and Lydia Corbett are mother and daughter who wrote a best-selling memoir in 2024 entitled, ‘(Un)Remarkable: How Cancer and Depression Intertwined Our Stories of Grief and Hope.’ Their 2024 episode focused on Tennille’s cancer journey, Lydia’s mental health challenges, and how they worked together to tell their stories in the memoir. It was a really powerful conversation, and I’ve had many listeners ask me how Tennille and Lydia are doing. So here is a bonus episode of YXE Underground featuring Tenille and Lydia Corbett sharing an update in their lives, and let me tell you, they have been busy! Tennille has started a pair of businesses. One is called Apothecare which is Canada’s first cancer support registry, and the other is called Early Shift which features women-only pop-up dance parties that end early and are as much fun as you think they would be! Lydia has been travelling the world and formed a group in the city called Girls Who Like to Do Stuff, which is all about creating a shared community and friendship for women.  We talk about their motivations for starting these endeavors and how their lives have changed since the release of their memoir. Tennille also gives listeners an update on her health.  We met a few Saturdays ago at Jr’s Café on Broadway. The place was busy, as you will hear in our conversation, but we managed to find a table beside the large windows overlooking Broadway Avenue.  I hope you enjoy our conversation and don't forget to follow and listen to YXE Underground wherever you find your favourite podcasts. Cheers...Eric Host, Producer, Editor: Eric AndersonTheme Music: Andrew DicksonWebsite: https://www.yxeunderground.comRecorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

    45 min
  7. Bonus Episode - George Stroumboulopoulos

    FEB 27 ·  BONUS

    Bonus Episode - George Stroumboulopoulos

    I remember being a kid in Swift Current being glued to the television when the Kinsmen Telemiracle fundraiser was on across the province. I would get my parents' permission to call and make a donation to the fundraiser and then wait for hours for my name to slowly crawl across the bottom of the screen. It was such a big deal to see my name on television, even it lasted for just a few seconds and was quickly followed by someone else donating from Moose Jaw, Enfold or Frontier.  Telemiracle is woven into the fabric of our province. For the past 50 years, people have picked up their phones and made a donation that would help someone in medical need purchase a piece of equipment or receive financial support that would help them get the care they need. We did an episode in Season Six highlighting Telemiracle's work and taking listeners behind the scenes to discover the work it takes to run the fundraiser, and it's definitely worth a listen.  Telemiracle turns 50 this weekend and it is pulling out all the stops to mark this milestone. One of the many talented hosts is someone who I have looked up ever since I first saw him on MuchMusic. That would be George Stroumboulopoulos. I first met George in 2011 at a taping of his CBC Television show, The Hour. It was a quick chat after his show and I was struck by his kindness and how he listened patiently to my questions after taping the show. I remained a fan over the years as he did all the things on television, radio and social media, and it was a thrill to meet him again last October when he spoke at Saskatoon's MemoFest.  In fact, George came to Sherbrooke Community Centre, where I am the Communications Leader, for a tour of our long-term care home. It was an amazing afternoon as he met a host of residents and staff and listened to how our organization has worked hard for decades to provide residents with full and abundant life. George also took a lot of photos with residents, staff and even some of our animals! The picture for this episode is of George sitting by Sherbrooke's Aviary. The birds loved him!  Flash forward a few months, and I reached out to George via Instagram when I saw he was in Saskatoon for Telemiracle. I wished him luck and told him how lucky we were to have him back in the city. He wrote back and said, "you gonna have me on the podcast? Haha." Ahhh...yes!  17 hours later, I met George at his hotel and we sat down for a conversation about how he became involved with Kinsmen Telemiracle and why this provincial fundraiser struck a chord with him. It is always a privilege speaking with George because he is in the moment with you...he listens...and I think that's something all of us could do a better job of these days, myself included!  I hope you enjoy our conversation, and a big thank you to George for taking time out of his insanely busy schedule to speak with me on the podcast. Best of luck on the fundraiser this weekend, George, and safe travels home. Enjoy that diner meal in the desert!  Cheers...Eric  Host, Producer, Editor: Eric AndersonTheme Music: Andrew DicksonWebsite: https://www.yxeunderground.comRecorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

    34 min
  8. Season Eight - Episode Six - Wanuskewin Heritage Park Artist-in-Residence Program

    FEB 12

    Season Eight - Episode Six - Wanuskewin Heritage Park Artist-in-Residence Program

    For the past three years, Wanuskewin’s Artist-in-Residence program has welcomed emerging and established Indigenous artists to not only create within its beautiful space, but to share their inspiration and process with visitors to the park. This program is helping our community connect with Wanuskewin in new ways, and you’ll meet some of the people behind the program in this episode of YXE Underground. Last year, I was at an art opening for Saskatoon’s Brody Burns, an amazing Indigenous artist, hosted by The 525, and I ran into Andrew McDonald. He is the Co-Executive Director of Wanuskewin, and as we marveled at Brody’s art, he shared his passion for Wanuskewin’s Artist-in-Residence program.  Andrew is a great guy and I loved his pitch, so a few weeks ago, I spent a morning at Wanuskewin meeting people who love this program and want to see it grow and thrive. In this episode, you are going to meet Olivia and Greg Yuel, along with the current Artist-in-Residence, Chris Chipak, and Andrew McDonald and Marcel Robitaille, who is the curator at Wanuskewin.  If you would like to learn more about Wanuskewin Heritage Park’s Artist-in-Residence program, please visit their website.  You can also meet Chris Chipak on Saturday, February 21st, as part of the Nutrien Kona Winter Festival taking place at Wanuskewin. That’s when his work will be debuted in the gallery space, and I have no doubt it will look incredible. You can listen to YXE Underground wherever you find your favourite podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or at yxeunderground.com. Please leave a 5-star review if you enjoyed this episode. Positive reviews really help the podcast get more exposure on apps like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, so your support is greatly appreciated.  Cheers...Eric  Host, Producer, Editor: Eric AndersonTheme Music: Andrew DicksonWebsite: https://www.yxeunderground.comRecorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

    57 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

An original podcast featuring interviews with people who are doing amazing things in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, but are flying under the radar. Former CBC journalist is Eric Anderson is the creator, host and producer of the podcast.

Information

  • Creator
    Eric Anderson
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    135
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Salthammer Production Company
  • Show Website
    YXE Underground

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