Calgary Culture: The Perspectives YYC Podcast

Today we speak to Harvey Nichol. Harvey’s work is starting to pop up around the city. His latest mixed medium are built on skateboards and found items like broken frames! They’re incredible! We’ll get into how we met but more interestingly his tragic and full life. A life that really informs the layers you see in his work. 

Perspectives YYC is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network, powered by ATB. The APN supports and grows local Alberta podcasts. Podcasts like Anticulture with Josiah Sinanan. Josiah's podcast project explores the nature of what cultural identity really means. He believes that the true "culture" of an individual and their lives is only found when we take the time to hear what they have experienced from their own point of view. His latest and season ending episode is with Rachel Doelzahl, the infamous activist in the states who was “outed” as a white woman posing as a black woman pushing for black rights. He spends time with her to get her story across while connecting with his own experiences as a mixed race individual here in Calgary. Challenge your concept of culture; his work can be found at josiahsinanan.com or through the APN the APN website: albertapodcastnetwork.com  

On the topic of race and culture in Alberta, keep an eye out for: The Common Ground Podcast, a five-part series exploring narratives of hate and counter-hate in Alberta. Created by Irfan Chaudry, director of the Office of Human Rights, Diversity and Equity at MacEwan University in collaboration with Iman Bukhari from the Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation in Calgary. Prompted by the rise in police-reported hate crimes in Alberta, and a desire to examine what can be done to improve the way we look at each other. Find the podcast at macewan,ca/OHRDE (whic stands for Office of Human Rights, Diversity and Equity). Or search for Common Ground Podcast in the podcatcher of your choice. 

This episode is brought to you in part by The Alberta Blue Cross Wellness Summit, a day to explore fresh perspectives and practices around wellness at work. It's happening October 10th at the Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel. Sign yourself up at thewellnesssummit.ca

I sit down with Thana Boonlert - street photographer, mountain hiker, and Calgary's Federal Green Party Candidate. This man loves a challenge. We chat about what he sees in this campaign; how he's dealt with his recent lay off/job loss; the impression of inner city Calgarians he's getting from endless door-knocking; the status of politics in general; and why he wants to work with the Green Party. He believes we need to have #courage to invest our votes in our personal beliefs and not in partisan strategy. He believes that the Green Party has the base scientific and empathetic roots to take Canada there. He believes this fall will reflect this! Let me know what you think! Is Calgary more Progressive than we think? If we get away from the fear of job loss and the boom-busy economy - do we care about the planet long term?
Thanks to Mayowa for the killer intro track Gorgeous - his work can be found on Spotify.
***
Thanks, as always, to the Alberta Podcast Network, powered by ATB, for their amazing support. Check out fellow Albertan Podcast The Read Along - A 30 minute podcast book club! Scott and Anita Bourgeous work through fun books, one chapter at a time with insight and humour so you don't have to! 

***

A quick note from our main sponsor ATB. Calgary Pride month is here so I wanted to highlight that ATB takes pride in all Albertans. That means standing up for what is right in the workplace, in our communities and alongside community partners, including fYrefly in Schools, Calgary Library's Reading with Royalty program, Edmonton and Calgary Pride, and the Calgary Sexual Health Centre. At ATB, we believe Pride is a stance. A stance for love, diversity, and self-worth. A stance for acceptance, in our workplace, in the communities we serve, and with our community partners.

Learn more at atb.com/pride

Today we have a special conversation with the minds behind Like New Vintage and Secret Shop YYC - Nick, Tam, and Jimmy. We spend a bit of time to explore who they are, where they came from, and how they are working together to stimulate and grow creative culture here in Calgary. Their series of fashion, music, performance shows have been gaining traction here on the ground floor in Calgary. They have vision, direction, and great perspective on what’s hip and cool collaborative programs - like their upcoming show with Velour Clothing Exchange and Pulse Dance Studios aptly named “Something from Nothing”. If you’re listening to this before Aug 30, get online and get tickets ASAP as it’s small and looks to be a killer fashion/dance show at cSpace King Edward.

Shout out to Kyle Marshall of Media Lab YYC for the studio space, production, and awesome positive vibes. If you’re ever looking to chat with something who REALLY LOVES podcasts, you need to sit down with Kyle. And to last episode’s guest A.Y.E. who has donated another track from his album Soul Food for this production. Calgary collaboration!

You can find all involved parties online through attached links - check the description, instagram, website, posts to find out more! And thank you for your time. Even listening is the start of the collaborative energy we need here in the city to keep the ball moving forward.

***

Perspectives YYC is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network, powered by ATB. The APN is the brainchild of Karen Unland who's only purpose in life, it seems, is to support and grow local podcasts. Podcasts like I Don’t Get It - a theatre and show review podcast based out of Edmonton by two writers Fawnda Mithrush and Paul Blinov, produced by Andrew Paul. Their detailed insight and synergy together as cohosts shines a great light into Edmonton from November 2013! They really have been around. In a good way. They can be found at idontgetityeg.com and through the APN website: albertapodcastnetwork.com  

***

A quick note from our main sponsor ATB. In light of our approaching Calgary Pride month, I wanted to highlight that ATB takes pride in all Albertans. That means standing up for what is right in the workplace, in our communities and alongside community partners, including fYrefly in Schools, Calgary Library's Reading with Royalty program, Edmonton and Calgary Pride, and the Calgary Sexual Health Centre. At ATB, we believe Pride is a stance. A stance for love, diversity, and self-worth. A stance for acceptance, in our workplace, in the communities we serve, and with our community partners.

Learn more at atb.com/pride

I had the honour of sitting down with A.Y.E. - The #yyc Hip Hop Artist blowing up Spotify right now with his latest album Soulfood the Autobiography Of. We originally met on Stephen Ave in the middle of winter when I had a projector and he had a music video to cast on the RBC building downtown! We speak about his musical family, his roots, his developing into the musician today. We get into modern culture and what he believes to be a lost concept: soul food, history, family versus the fast food generation, quick hits and no substance.

***

Perspectives YYC is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network, powered by ATB. The APN was built by Karen Unland whose only purpose in life, it seems, is to support and grow local podcasts. Podcasts like

Ed - Conversations about the Teaching Life - a podcast for teachers by teachers hosted by Shane Lawrence. For more fascinating albertan podcast info get on the Alberta Podcast Network at www.albertapodcastnetwork.com on instagram facebook and twitter as @albertapodnet 

***

This episode’s sponsorship message if from The Alberta Blue Cross Summit, a day to explore fresh perspectives and practices around wellness at work. Hear what Linda Crawford of Alberta Blue Cross had to say about the summit:

It’s happening October 10th at the Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel. 

In this episode I sit down with Taylor Odishaw-Dyck, aka TO, aka Fake James, and the creator of FLI Productions. We met initially through Austin Kamenz, co-conspirator and street artist. Together with Ty Javos, we built #WakeMotif - a private invite only art, music, performance event last March. What an incredible event.  And now, from wake, we move to the Zoo #ZooMotif.

Our conversation covers Energy Exchange; the necessity of an environment of collaboration; Humility; "Ego-death"; and the Future of Calgary culture. Yet another example of why I’m convinced Calgary is about to explode with genuine creative energy. The next step for Calgary is collaboration and interaction. Exclusive Music provided by Vanilla Sun.

***

Perspectives YYC is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network, powered by ATB. The APN is the brainchild of Karen Unland who's only purpose in life is to support and grow local Albertan podcasts. Podcasts like

Modern Manhood - a series created by German Villegas focused on the divergent and often negative concept of masculinity. He has spent the last 5 years developing this conversation and pulling apart social and cultural influences that seem to drive so many men to despair. And, shameless self-promotion - I’m on it! Albeit briefly, on his latest episode to discuss just this - the effect of media tropes on men! Check his work out at modernmanhood.org or through the APN site albertapodcastnetwork.com/social-issues

***

A quick note from our main sponsor ATB. ATB takes pride in all Albertans. That means standing up for what is right in the workplace, in our communities and alongside community partners, including fYrefly in Schools, Calgary Library's Reading with Royalty program, Edmonton and Calgary Pride, and the Calgary Sexual Health Centre. At ATB, we believe Pride is a stance. A stance for love, diversity, and self-worth. A stance for acceptance, in our workplace, in the communities we serve, and with our community partners.

Learn more at atb.com/pride

Welcome to Calgary Culture: The Perspectives YYC Podcast

A series of conversations with a series of local creators - as we try to get serious about culture here in Calgary.

Season 3 episode 2

Today we sit down with Matthew Mort. The happiest man alive. If you don’t know him yet, you will. Because Matt Mort is everywhere. Except here. Unfortunately, Matt moved to Vancouver right after recording this, dammit. 

Why did he leave us? 

For happiness and positivity of course. 

Before he left we got a chance to quickly muse about all things Matt and while a short 40ish minute interview could never encapsulate his energy, I hope this gets you a glimpse of why people chant his name. 

Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen and everything around and in between. I present to you Matt Mort.

Check out Matt’s latest project in collaboration with Brad Lancaster @discoverconnection - their project to promote a life full of connection. Check them out on facebook or youtube! 

Today’s soundtrack was provided by Handmade. A local band and extension of all that is Matt Mort, Handmade is available on Spotify, facebook, instagram, and the internet in general. 

Perspectives YYC is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network, powered by ATB. The APN is the brainchild of Karen Unland who’s only purpose in life, it seems, is to support and grow local podcasts. Podcasts like Girl Tries Life - a series by Victoria Smith who runs a website by the same name. She was one of the first APN members to reach out to me after we discovered we had shared a guest, personal stylist Sarah Schmidt! If you’re looking for an Albertan woman who decided to say Heck Yes to life - who wants to show you how she’s built a life around doing instead of saying you will - check out her work at girltrieslife.com and all the other amazing podcast awesomeness at albertapodcastnetwork.com

Audrey Lane Cockett is a spoken word artist, poet, activist, performer, and scientist to boot! I had the honour of sitting down with her to discuss the creative process and lifestyle, both in the context of the Calgary art scene. We delve into her start in performing (hint: Grade 6 science project?!?!), existential and spiritual musings (of course. It's me.), and she graces us with a live performance too! Thank you Audrey Lane for being awesome and I hope you (the listener) connect with her as well!

Shout out to Media Lab YYC for the studio time, production, expertise, and general awesomeness.
Special shout out to Twizzie Ramos for the dope collab music track with Audrey Lane for the intro. Check out his album Sunflower Samurai on Spotify!

And special shout out to APN - The Alberta Podcast Network powered by ATB. We're officially on the roster and excited to join the Alberta Podcasting Community! 

Welcome to Calgary Culture: The Perspectives YYC Podcast. My show where I chat with current creatives and collaborators; entrepreneurs and fascinating humans. Together I hope we can offer you a glimpse of what's happening on the ground here in Calgary and to encourage you to come and interact with us. I believe we are on the #cusp of a huge cultural shift here in Calgary. Come CUSP with us!

I got to sit down with Sarah Schmidt, personal stylist, entrepreneur, writer (from our Issue 2 - check it out!) and all around nice person. We chat about her growth and emergence as a stylist and the spiritual link she draws between fashion, physical expression, and finding our true(r) selves. Hope you enjoy!
Thanks as always to Media Lab YYC and Thomas Thomas Band! 

In today’s episode I sit down with Jessica Jansen, founder of Love for Lewiston Foundation - A charitable foundation dedicated to raising awareness of SMA - Spinal Muscular Atrophy. After suffering the tragic loss of her own second child to SMA when he was just 6 months old, we learn how she was able to take this tragedy and turn it into a force that of hope rather than misery. Her message of Hope, Motivation, and Inspiration through spiritual growth and courage makes an amazing and humbling conversation. Her message of CHANGE to the world - get off your asses and do something about it.
Thanks always to Thomas Thomas Band and Media Lab YYC. And to all the listeners and supporters out there working to make Calgary a better place each day!