Daybreak Alberta

As part of our ongoing CBC Calgary Filipino bureau, Paul Karchut speaks with Filipino community leader, Cesar Cala, about a concept that he refers to as "first we exist, then we matter".

What a week it has been in U.S. politics with the end of the Trump era and the beginning of the Presidency of Joseph Biden, along with Vice-President Kamala Harris. Professor Kimberly Brown-Pellum has reflected on an historic inauguration and what comes next. Russell spoke with the history professor at Florida A&M University from her home in Tallahassee, Florida.

Just when it seemed we might be heading for the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel, there are setbacks. There have been more COVID-19 cases than during the first wave last spring and now, troubles with the vaccine supply. There are also COVID variants popping up across the world. How bad is it? And how much should we worry? For his thoughts, Russell reached Jason Tetro, microbiologist and author of "The Germ Files."

A new year is an exciting time to look ahead. However for her January Alberta Books reviewer, Angie Abdou looks back to the 2020 winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, "Molly of the Mall," by Heidi I. M. Jacobs.

Marilyn was once a celebrity, the "It girl" on the runway, however, she was "aged-out" of the industry she loves. These days, he gives lectures on cosmetics and demonstrating the various “Looks.” Marilyn is the subject of the play "The Look," getting a North American debut from Northern Light Theatre in Edmonton and the show has been filmed for online audiences everywhere to watch. Linda Grass is the actor bringing Marilyn to life until January 31, and you can get tickets online through northernlighttheatre.com. Linda Grass spoke with Russell about the play from her home

"The Secret Marathon" is a documentary that centers on the first Afghan woman who stood up for her freedom and ran in the Marathon of Afghanistan. Her name is Zainub and her simple act of running started a movement for equality. Her story also inspired legendary Cochrane marathon runner, Martin Parnell, to imagine what his life might be like if his gender prevented him from going outside to run. Martin vowed to run in the Marathon of Afghanistan to support Zainab. Alberta filmmaker and first time marathoner, Kate McKenzie, joined the run, and she also made a documentary along the way. "The Secret Marathon will screen online Jan 29-31 through https://ca.demand.film/the-secret-marathon/ Russell spoke with film-maker, Kate McKenzie after hearing a clip "The Secret Marathon."

Over the course of the pandemic, Canadian universities have seen a drop in international enrollment with fewer students coming from abroad to attend the University of Alberta, Mount Royal, or MacEwan. Among those who are here, many are struggling to pay the rent and cope with the loneliness of remote learning. Akanksha Lamba is an international student from New Delhi, she is also a freelance journalist who knows about this experience firsthand.

Before becoming an award winning music producer, Josh Gwilliam worked menial jobs and he even questioned his own existence. Like many, he had doubts, but it was his mistakes that led him to trusting his gut and believing his intuition. Now Josh is an established producer working with musicians to establish what he calls a “Prairie Sound.” He's the subject of a new documentary available on YouTube produced by Focus Pictures and Russell spoke with the director, Cody Southgate about why he made the film.

We're living through a winter which has potential to be the most intense period of the pandemic. The situation differs across the country however for a national snapshot, plus reflection on how Alberta's mixed messages have compounded the problem, Russell spoke with Dasantila Golemi-Kotra, a professor in microbiology at York University.

As the 2021 NHL season gets underway, hope springs eternal. However, with Canadian teams playing in a North division, it will mean seeing national rivals far more than fans are used to. CBC's Dave Waddell dropped in to chat with Russell about yet another unusual hockey season, plus a little speculation on how the games ahead may play out.