Note: This episode includes discussion of suicide statistics.

Men’s mental health is getting more attention these days—yet many still struggle to ask for help. Why? For Movember, hosts Carol and Jeevan dive into this issue with Dr. John Oliffe. This UBC professor and founder of the Men’s Health Research program shares insights into the moments that hit men the hardest, why so many avoid seeking support, and what can truly help men open up. 

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call or text the 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline. If you’re at immediate risk, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Contact Carol
• Contact Jeevan
• From Here Forward
• Podium Podcast Company
• UBC Men’s Health Research Program
• Dr. John Oliffe
• Heads Up Guys
• Next Gen Men

In this episode of From Here Forward, hosts Carol and Jeevan sit down with award-winning journalist, author, and UBC School of Journalism, Writing, and Media Director Kamal Al-Solaylee to examine the state of modern media. From the role of journalism in democracy, to AI, citizen reporting, and the rise of disinformation, Kamal offers candid insights into how the industry is changing—and how journalism schools are preparing the next generation. They also explore the tension between free press and financial pressures, diversity in newsrooms, and why media literacy matters more than ever in a world of information overload.

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Contact Carol
• Contact Jeevan
• From Here Forward
• Podium Podcast Company
• UBC School of Journalism, Writing and Media (JWAM)
• Kamal Al-Solaylee
• Intolerable: A Memoir of Extremes
• Brown: What Being Brown in the World Today Means (to Everyone)
• Return: Why We Go Back to Where We Came From
• The Guardian

• (00:00) - Intro

In this special UBC Homecoming episode of From Here Forward, hosts Carol and Jeevan return to the Vancouver campus to visit some of their favourite spots and reflect on how the campus has evolved since they graduated. Along the way, they stop by the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary with the “Building Magic” party at Homecoming on September 20. They also talk with Matthew Roddis and Joanne Proft (MA[Planning]'97, MLArch'00) from UBC Campus & Community Planning to explore the transformation of campus life and the bold ideas shaping its future through Campus Vision 2050.

LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE

• Contact Carol
• Contact Jeevan
• Podium Podcast Company

UBC HOMECOMING

• Learn more about UBC Homecoming
• Interactive map: How much has UBC Vancouver changed in the past decade?

CAMPUS RESOURCES

• Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre
• UBC Campus & Community Planning
• Campus Vision 2050

• (00:00) - Intro: September, Homecoming, and Thunderbird Memories

We all know we should be returning our bottles, cans, and drink containers to a recycling depot. For many people, however, a 10-cent return just isn’t enough to motivate action. But what if you had a random chance at a much higher payout? In this episode, Carol and Jeevan talk to Dr. Jiaying Zhao, associate professor in the UBC Department of Psychology and the Institute for Resources, Environment, and Sustainability, and Jade Radke, a PhD student in UBC’s Behavioral Sustainability Lab about an innovative solution that uses psychology and gamification to encourage recycling.

LINKS

• Contact Carol
• Contact Jeevan
• From Here Forward
• Podium Podcast Company

ADDITIONAL LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Professor Jiaying Zhao (JZ)
• Jade Radke
• Return-It BC Program
• Prospect Theory (Kahneman & Tversky)

With drink spiking an ever-pervasive concern, how can we make nightlife safer for everyone? Thanks to UBC researchers, there’s now a stir stick that anyone can use to detect drugs like GHB and ketamine in their drinks. In this episode, Carol and Jeevan hear all about this innovative new tool — Spikeless — from Dr. Johan Foster, UBC Chemical and Biological Engineering Associate Professor, and Sasha Santos, an educator with UBC’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office. Listen to this comprehensive discussion to learn more about bridging the gap between scientific solutions and everyday practicalities, the need to avoid placing responsibilities on the vulnerable, and their hopes that all beverage-serving venues will join the effort.

LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE

• Contact Carol
• Contact Jeevan
• From Here Forward
• Dr. Johan Foster 
• Learn more about Spikeless

What do a Star Wars “making of” documentary, a UBC Film Society membership, and late nights at the Norm Theatre have in common? For UBC alum Greg Ng (BA’05), they sparked a passion for film editing that’s turned into a fascinating career — one that’s enabled him to work on some of the biggest Hollywood horror films of recent years. In this episode, Carol and Jeevan sit down with the award-winning film editor to trace his journey into the industry. From his work on chilling features like Longlegs and The Monkey to his shaping of compelling documentaries (The Grizzlie Truth, Saints and Warriors) and acclaimed TV series (Allegiance, Bones of Crows), Greg shares insights on storytelling through editing — and why the editor’s role is one of the most powerful, yet invisible, in any production.

LINKS

• Contact Carol
• Contact Jeevan
• From Here Forward

GUEST & WORK

• Greg Ng
• The Monkey
• Longlegs
• UBC Film Production Program

• (00:00) - Introduction

More than 15,000 satellites are currently in orbit around our planet, with this number growing every year. For UBC’s Dr. Aaron Boley, this raises some red flags about the problem of space junk. An expert in the field of space sustainability, Boley chats with Carol and Jeevan about the practical risks we face from space junk as well as the politics of space. He also dispels the myths justifying the practice of abandoning rocket components and other objects in space — and considers all that we might lose if we continue down our current path.

LINKS

• Contact Carol
• Contact Jeevan
• From Here Forward
• ACBoley | UBC Physics & Astronomy
• Aaron Boley
• Aaron Boley - Co-Director | LinkedIn
• Outer Space Institute

• (00:00) - Introduction

There’s been a lot of talk in the media about diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, but what does DEI actually mean? Why do so many people seem to misunderstand its intent? In recent years, many companies moved quickly to implement DEI programs that addressed inequities in recruitment and hiring practices, mentorship, and other opportunities. But just as quickly, backlash arose to these policies. In this episode, Carol and Jeevan speak to Dr. Camellia Bryan, an assistant professor at the UBC Sauder School of Business, about the importance of DEI and how backlash can actually be a sign that real progress is being made.

LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE

• Contact Carol
• Contact Jeevan
• From Here Forward
• Beyond Backlash: Advancing Dominant-Group Employees’ Learning, Allyship, and Growth Through Social Identity Threat
• About Dr. Camellia Bryan
• Contact Dr. Bryan

• (00:00) - Introduction

For people living in remote locations and requiring urgent ultrasounds, the best option at the moment is to travel to a major city for the diagnostic test. But a UBC researcher is looking to change that. In this episode, Carol and Jeevan speak to David Black (BASc’21), a PhD candidate in electrical and computer engineering at UBC about his groundbreaking work on remote ultrasound imaging. Learn how he’s tapping into the power of mixed reality — which enables interactions between physical and digital worlds — to bring ultrasound diagnostics directly to patients.

LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE

• Contact Carol
• Contact Jeevan
• From Here Forward
• Learn more about David’s Mitacs Innovation Award
• Contact David

• (00:00) - - Introduction

What’s the relationship between love and happiness? The answer is not as simple as you might think. In this episode, Carol and Jeevan talk to UBC alum Carrie Jenkins, a writer and professor of philosophy at UBC, about her research to understand love in all its forms. They discuss the limitations of romantic love, the stigma of singlehood, the realities of non-monogamy, and the social constructs that connect them all.

LINKS

• Contact Carol
• Contact Jeevan
• From Here Forward
• Carrie Jenkins' website 
• Carrie’s Writing
  • What Love Is and What It Could Be 
  • Sad Love: Romance and the Search for Meaning
  • Non-Monogamy and Happiness
  • Uninvited : Talking Back To Plato
  • Victoria Sees It

• (00:00) - Introduction