INSIDE STORIES People in Places Podcast

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Photo Credit: Darius Bashar

This episode was recorded on site at Camp Reset 2024, which takes place annually on the land at Camp Walden in Palmer Rapids, Ontario. This land is the traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinabek people. We honour the enduring presence of them and all First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people. This region is recognized as part of Treaty 27 in twenty-seven and a half lands, which are the ancestral lands of Indigenous nations who have stewarded these territories for Millenia. Reset is committed to respecting and learning from their deep knowledge and cultural practises and to supporting efforts toward reconciliation, sovereignty, and self-determination. Reset was invited to host a camp here in 2019, by Camp Walden, who are the stewards of this land and host a magical, all-gender, private, overnight camp here for kids every summer.

Adil Dhalla-Kim (AKA Moonlight) talks about his origin story, his struggle growing up with his own multi-faceted identity and sense of belonging, and where his inclinations for community organizing were seeded. Adil shares how he came to be a part of Reset during a period of burnout when he most needed what Reset offers. We talk about Reset's vision for breaking down the barriers that create divisiveness among us, countering patriarchy and supremacy through the practise of play, and Reset's intention for fostering kindness and connection.

GUEST BIO: Adil Dhalla-Kim is a Co-Founder and the Executive Director for Reset. Informing and inspiring Adil's path are countless teachers and professional experiences including being the former Board Chair for the StopGap Foundation, the Executive Director at the Centre for Social Innovation, the Managing Director at Artscape's Launchpad, the Executive Producer of Toronto for Everyone, a Community Organizer on the Obama campaign, the Maestro for Project Ukulele Gangsterism, a Facilitator of One Big Hug and a Co-Founder of My City Lives, one of the world’s first mobile video applications. In 2022, the Wolf Willow Institute recognized Dil as a Positive Deviant for his bold, unconventional, and sometimes misunderstood strategies in tackling complex challenges.

Moonlight would like to acknowledge his seven co-founders: Aunty Awake, Black Panther, Moonbeard, Monkey, Red, Helios, and Meta, along with the current Reset Board: Aunty Awake, Cocoa, Deja Vu, Giggle Fit, Wonderlust, and Yucca, and the current Camp Reset Collective and Reset staff: Bliss, Carebear, Co-Creatrix-D, Goons, Joyfull-1, Paradise, Pom, Praxis, Prime Time, Rise, Sparkles, Rain, and King A Hearts. Reset is co-created by this phenomenal

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INSIDE STORIES exists to foster connection in a world suffering and dying from disconnectivity. It seeks to examine the stories we tell and don’t tell and how that impacts us. 

The INSIDE STORIES PEOPLE in PLACES PODCAST examines specifically our relationship with Place and its influence on our ways of existing, our beliefs about ourselves and others, and our sense of belonging…or not. 

Send us Fan Mail

Lyndsay Cloughley (AKA 24/7) talks about the impact twenty-one summers spent at Camp Walden has had on her life and how it has shaped her as an individual, a woman, and a leader. We discuss her educational pursuits and desire to effect change within within the system of policing for the betterment of it and society as a whole. And Lyndsay shares her experience of Camp Reset from her unique vantage point in the kitchen at Camp Walden.

This is a very special conversation. Lyndsay Cloughley, known affectionately by Resetters as 24/7, is a most beloved, cherished, and figural member of Camp Reset. In her role as Dining Hall Manager & Co-Kitchen Coordinator at Camp Walden, she is the keystone in ensuring no camper goes hungry. The love and care that goes into food preparation at camp is evident in every bite. 24/7 and her team truly go above and beyond, and our gratitude overflows.

GUEST BIO: Lyndsay categorizes herself as someone who likes the unknown. She thrives on adventure and is an information seeker, who considers herself a professional student with two college diplomas, two university degrees, and another on the way. Any chance to get away and see an unknown place...she's in! She loves sports: to play, to analyze, and to debate—Michael Jeffrey Jordan will always be the GOAT (Lyndsay's words). When she commits to something, she's all in, which is evident in most aspects of her life...friends, work, school, play, and certainly in her commitment to giving us the best possible experience every year in the Camp Reset Munchery.

Camp Reset is held annually at Camp Walden, in Palmer Rapids, near Bancroft, Ontario. Inside Stories and Reset acknowledge all those who came before us, the stewards of the land past and present, the enduring presence of First Nations, including the Chippewas and Mississaugas. 

We express our deepest gratitude for all kith and kin who come together to allow Camp Reset to be situated in this place at this time. 

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INSIDE STORIES exists to foster connection in a world suffering and dying from disconnectivity. It seeks to examine the stories we tell and don’t tell and how that impacts us. 

The INSIDE STORIES PEOPLE in PLACES PODCAST examines specifically our relationship with Place and its influence on our ways of existing, our beliefs about ourselves and others, and our sense of belonging…or not. 

Send us Fan Mail

Azin Soltani (AKA Wonder Shine) talks about having to flee Iran as a child as a result of the conflict that sprung out of the 1979 Revolution, her formative years in Sweden and later Canada, and her connection to her ancestral roots. She discusses her feelings of being a bridge between generations and the responsibility that comes with being a keeper of the stories—the importance, for her, of legacy-keeping and remembrance. 

GUEST BIO: Azin Soltani is a facilitator, coach, experience designer and poet. Her passions lie at the intersection of storytelling (what are the stories we tell and live?), values-aligned collaborations, and self-actualization (how do we become the people, institutions and communities that we have the potential to be?). Azin spent the past decade working with a leading global development organization, where she led teams and collaborated on public engagement initiatives that promoted discussion and learning on global issues, and fostered partnerships, to build a future where we all thrive together. She is currently transitioning into a new life chapter; heeding dawning dreams and diving deeper into emerging areas of resonance in coaching, experience design, storytelling and artistic collaborations.

The conversation begins with a sample from Surrender, an original song performed by Azin with her band Late Night Conversations.

You can begin to learn more about Iran here.*

You can begin to learn more about the Iranian Revolution here.*

You can begin to learn more about the Iran-Iraq War here.*

In this episode we reference Indigenous World View as discussed with Yucca. 

*It is important to stay mindful of the tendency toward the white washing of the histories of non-Western nations. I have provided links that are readily available via a quick Google search. Should you wish to study past and present Iran in depth, I suggest you dig into works by Iranian authors and artists, professors and poets, historians and journalists. Always examine the stories. Always check your sources. 

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INSIDE STORIES exists to foster connection in a world suffering and dying from disconnectivity. It seeks to examine the stories we tell and don’t tell and how that impacts us. 

The INSIDE STORIES PEOPLE in PLACES PODCAST examines specifically our relationship with Place and its influence on our ways of existing, our beliefs about ourselves and others, and our sense of belonging…or not. 

Send us Fan Mail

Peter Katz (AKA P Kitty) talks about losing his sense of home and finding it again, the lessons he gained from Clowning, and the ways he creates the conditions that allow him and others to be fully present. Peter shares how he found his way back to the essence of himself and what that has meant for him.

GUEST BIO: Peter Katz is a JUNO Award & Canadian Screen Award-nominated singer-songwriter who has spent the past 15 years touring internationally. He has been described by many of his fans and speaking clients as "a thunderbolt for the soul”.

Renowned CBC radio host Tom Power described Peter’s music as “one of the most heartfelt, beautiful, and vulnerable records of the year... an astonishing record”. To date, his music has been streamed over 30 million times and his music videos have over 25 million views on YouTube.

Peter is also one of Canada’s most in-demand speakers, being called on to give his highly customized ‘Keynote Concerts’ to countless companies and organizations across various industries.

“His ability to connect is unlike anyone I’ve seen. To be the highest standard of being a storyteller is to be like Peter Katz.” –Jeff Pulver, Founder of Vonage

Peter can be found on the world wide web at peterkatz.com.

The book Peter references by Amanda Palmer is The Art of Asking. 

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INSIDE STORIES exists to foster connection in a world suffering and dying from disconnectivity. It seeks to examine the stories we tell and don’t tell and how that impacts us. 

The INSIDE STORIES PEOPLE in PLACES PODCAST examines specifically our relationship with Place and its influence on our ways of existing, our beliefs about ourselves and others, and our sense of belonging…or not. 

Send us Fan Mail

Kiona Mercer-Tremblay (AKA Sunshine) talks about her life growing up in Canada's foster care system, how that experience shaped her and still informs her experiences and interactions to this day. She also talks about what a gift meditation has been and shares the legacies of her parents, Maurice and Bernadette.

Have your tissues close at hand, this is an emotional and heart-rending story of courage, resilience, and ultimately...love.

GUEST BIO: Kiona Mercer-Tremblay is a passionate being, sister, partner, friend, and a healer. Through Brown Hills Wellness and meditation, she continues to expand her mind and her growth reflects through her own learnings and facilitations. Kiona is on her path of healing herself and community through affordable and accessible casual meditations.

Kiona's wellness offerings can be accessed via Brown Hills Wellness and she will be leading the Heart Opening Ceremony at Camp Reset 2024.

Shout out to Katie at Boter Bloem Bakery for Kiona's introduction to Reset.

The selected poem, wishes, read by Kiona in this episode, can be found on Page 34 of Lara Margaret Marjerrison's poetry collection grief & loss & love & sex.

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i wish you
more laughter than tears
more excitement than fears
more joy than sorrow
a richer tomorrow
i wish you
bliss and blessings
from below and above
most of all
i wish you love

wishes

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INSIDE STORIES exists to foster connection in a world suffering and dying from disconnectivity. It seeks to examine the stories we tell and don’t tell and how that impacts us. 

The INSIDE STORIES PEOPLE in PLACES PODCAST examines specifically our relationship with Place and its influence on our ways of existing, our beliefs about ourselves and others, and our sense of belonging…or not. 

Send us Fan Mail

David Jerome (AKA Play Write) talks about his "loss of faith" moment, the impact it had upon his sense of belonging, and how it led him to truth-seeking in all contexts. We discuss the moral moment the world is having, cancel culture, and the downside of inclusion. David casts his light on the concept of grace and the nature of all things and all that is. In this timely and thought-provoking episode, David gives listeners much to consider.

GUEST BIO: David is a Toronto-born writer, playwright, speaker, teacher, and therapist in training. With a background as a former minister, he brings a unique perspective to his work. David is known as a thought leader in discussions surrounding race, identity, masculinity, well-being, and restorative practice. As a writer and playwright, he delves into grief, loss, shame, mental health, and truth-telling themes.

David is the author of Pray You Break his self-published poetry collection, and is also developing a new piece centred on the GRACE Principle, a framework he created during his time as a college lecturer and corporate DEI educator.

Find David and Pray You Break at DavidLewisPeart.com.

Like David, Pray You Break  is a rare and exquisite expression of life and love. The words. The imagery. Its truth. The book takes its reader on a heart-rending journey.

Do yourself a favour…visit David’s page. Tap the link. Buy the book. Take in its words. Pray you break.

The piano piece that accompanies David's reading of Pray You Break is by Dean Lobo (AKA Unlearn). 

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INSIDE STORIES exists to foster connection in a world suffering and dying from disconnectivity. It seeks to examine the stories we tell and don’t tell and how that impacts us. 

The INSIDE STORIES PEOPLE in PLACES PODCAST examines specifically our relationship with Place and its influence on our ways of existing, our beliefs about ourselves and others, and our sense of belonging…or not. 

Send us Fan Mail

Yucca talks about life growing up in Toronto's Little Jamaica, her soul-connection to nature and her Nahuat roots, and how her insatiable curiosity was born. She shares ideas for decolonizing finance and the ways each of us can benefit from adopting and integrating an Indigenous worldview into our daily lives. 

GUEST BIO: Yucca, a vibrant soul, who proudly identifies as a Mestiza woman having Pipil, Lenca, and Spanish ancestry stemming from Cuzcatlan, presently known as El Salvador. Yucca’s veins carry the spirit of her resilient Nahuat ancestor’s wisdom, love, and knowledge. She believes true well-being extends beyond the physical—embracing mental, emotional, and spiritual balance. 

Whether it’s meditation, yoga, or connecting in or with nature, she finds joy in fostering connections with self and others within the community. Her diverse identities and experiences shape and inform her worldviews, and she holds a strong belief that the work we do out lives us, that our contributions in life will serve those before us and those after us. Yucca has found and embraced her art—the art of painting financial pictures—and has the honour of playing the role of Treasurer with Reset. 

Yucca's quest for growth and knowledge is fuelled by her curiosity. She has the courage to ask questions and lots of them! 

She is super excited to embark on this next chapter with Reset. 

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INSIDE STORIES exists to foster connection in a world suffering and dying from disconnectivity. It seeks to examine the stories we tell and don’t tell and how that impacts us. 

The INSIDE STORIES PEOPLE in PLACES PODCAST examines specifically our relationship with Place and its influence on our ways of existing, our beliefs about ourselves and others, and our sense of belonging…or not. 

Send us Fan Mail

Photo Credit: Cherie Wai

Christie Wong (AKA Pom) weaves together the fabric of her Self and brings us an episode that is contemplative and meditative while simultaneously challenging the status quo with each new thread revealed. She talks about what it means to her to find belonging in third culture, how integral art and creativity are to our human existence, and the ways she believes we can benefit from embracing ritual and slowing down.

GUEST BIO: Christie is a 1.5-gen Hong Kong Canadian, third culture kid who happens to be a multidisciplinary artist and traveler working with natural pigments, textiles, photography, cacao, stories, and illustration. She thinks of herself as a visual poet and a gathering space for multitudes of ideas to alchemize into slices of aliveness.

On the world wide web, Christie's can be found  here and here. 

Follow and find her cacao-related content @sonder.taller

Vestiges is one of Christie's original as-yet-unreleased musical offerings, written and sung by Christie, mixed and Mastered by Michael Friedman.

The book referenced in this episode (and several others) is Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home, by Toko-pa Turner.

Other Resetters referenced in this episode who have the People of Reset Series' episodes of their own are Aunty Awake and Bliss.  At this time Five and Co-Creatrix D (CCD) have not been interviewed for the series. But you might find them at camp. 

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INSIDE STORIES exists to foster connection in a world suffering and dying from disconnectivity. It seeks to examine the stories we tell and don’t tell and how that impacts us. 

The INSIDE STORIES PEOPLE in PLACES PODCAST examines specifically our relationship with Place and its influence on our ways of existing, our beliefs about ourselves and others, and our sense of belonging…or not. 

Send us Fan Mail

Darius Bashar (AKA Wolfee) gets right to the heart of the human condition in sharing what he sees when looking through the lens of his camera, and how he helps his subjects see what he sees (leaving this podcast host momentarily breathless in the process).  He discusses the impact growing up with seven fierce women had on his present-day existence—at which point we touch briefly on America Ferrera's iconic Barbie monologue—how he found his way to allowing play to influence every aspect of his life, and how Reset lifted him up from his personal rock-bottom and permanently changed his trajectory.

GUEST BIO: Darius Bashar is a celebrated photographer who works with international celebrities, best-selling authors, and thought leaders such as Seth Godin, Liz Gilbert, Dr. Shafali, Jim Kwik, Danielle LaPorte, Lisa Nichols, and Masai Ujiri.

His work has been featured in world-class publications such as TIME, Apple, Forbes, USA TODAY, Oprah.com, and others.

Darius' specialty is working with speakers, authors, and thought-leaders and his signature photography experiences are his HEARTshots™ and Black + White Experience. 

In June 2022, Darius launched a new photography project called NoStrangers.art, which explores intimacy and connection, by taking photos of strangers on the streets of Toronto and asking them one deep question.

Darius is also the founder of Artist Morning, which is an international community of artists, creators, and meditators. He has led and facilitated over 500 group meditations for thousands of people around the world. You can find Darius on the world’s most popular and largest meditation app, Insight Timer.

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INSIDE STORIES exists to foster connection in a world suffering and dying from disconnectivity. It seeks to examine the stories we tell and don’t tell and how that impacts us. 

The INSIDE STORIES PEOPLE in PLACES PODCAST examines specifically our relationship with Place and its influence on our ways of existing, our beliefs about ourselves and others, and our sense of belonging…or not. 

Send us Fan Mail

Hima Batavia (AKA Aunty Awake) discusses her current works, exploring the ancestral stories we hold in our hair. She shares her deeply personal (and ongoing) journey into self-acceptance, and how the co-founding of Reset (yes, THIS Reset) came to pass. This is a very special episode with a truly remarkable woman. If you're curious about Reset's origin story, you'll want to keep it locked and loaded. 

GUEST BIO: Hima Batavia (she/her) is an artist, cultural leader and community organizer based as a settler on the traditional territories of T'karonto. She is a co-founder, former co-director and now board member of a grassroots organization called Reset, which promotes social health through play and justice. Currently, she works with the Global Centre for Climate Action at OCAD University. Previously, she has collaborated with organizations including North York Arts, Artscape, Luminato, TED, Newest Magazine, Centre for Social Innovation, Hyman Digital, Staples Studio, Woodgreen Community Services, Parkdale People’s Economy on curatorial projects, learning experiences, design thinking processes, and festival programming and production. 

Her artistic practice focuses on reimagining social systems by embodying a politic of care, interconnectedness, and well-being by applying critical research methods, world-building, decolonial gestures, and durational performance to create immersive and participatory experiences. Over the years, her work has been shown at Summerworks Festival, Geary Art Crawl, Myseum Intersections Festival, The Annex Hotel, and Kajal Magazine and covered in the Toronto Star. Most recently, she was awarded a Canada Council for the Arts grant to expand her show, Higher Hair.

The episode begins with a moving and meditative audible excerpt from that durational performance as it was expressed at SummerWorks 2023 and upon which Hima collaborated with Nikola Steer, AKA Paradise. 

Find Hima on Instagram @hima_batavia

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RESET is a non-profit social enterprise that addresses loneliness by creating liminal and permanent social infrastructure including adult summer camp, pop-up playgrounds, and more.

The Reset Living Room is located in Little Jamaica at 634 Vaughan Road in Toronto.

Camp Reset is an annual four-day tech-free, "no-work-talk" immersive experience that takes place at a traditional summer camp in Bancroft, Ontario, where participants are invited to choose alternate names and engage in rest and play.

At Camp Reset, Lara Margaret Marjerrison is known as Gem.

After Camp Reset 2023, Gem/Lara found herself pondering what, specifically, brought together 250 people from such diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. The People of Reset Series is an exploration in search of the through-line.

Learn more about Reset.

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INSIDE STORIES exists to foster connection in a world suffering and dying from disconnectivity. It seeks to examine the stories we tell and don’t tell and how that impacts us. 

The INSIDE STORIES PEOPLE in PLACES PODCAST examines specifically our relationship with Place and its influence on our ways of existing, our beliefs about ourselves and others, and our sense of belonging…or not.