What does the next decade look like for Reconciliation in Canada? From education reform to cultural heritage, this episode cuts to the heart of building respectful relationships.

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.

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

In this episode of Ampersand, our CEO and host Caitlin Kealey sits down with Jacqueline Ottmann, President of First Nations University of Canada, to discuss the ongoing process of Indigenizing education. 

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.

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

Most Canadians don’t think twice about watching a Hollywood movie, binging a Netflix original series, or scrolling on a Meta social media platform, like Instagram or Facebook. Consuming American content has become second nature to us. 

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.

People in communications know that success requires more than just strong writing skills. It takes an ability to think outside the box to get the message out and exceed our goals. 

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.

How do you make infrastructure interesting? You tell the stories of the people using the infrastructure.

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.

Journalists are up against a lot: paywalls, dwindling attention spans, disinformation, and clickbait, to name a few things. So, what’s the future of journalism? 

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.

Populist rhetoric and right wing talking points have been migrating north of the US-Canadian border since before Trump’s re-election. What can us Canadians in the for-good space do about it?

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.

We know digital networks create echo chambers that widen the divide in our increasingly polarized world. So, how do you break through the noise and get people to care about your cause? 

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.

The idea of clean energy is nothing new — the Pembina Institute has been at the centre of the conversation around the energy transition in Canada since the 1980s. 

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.

How do you make academic research accessible to policymakers, the general public, and civil society? More importantly, how do you make it resonate?

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.