Listening Beyond

Adiel Cohen, an Israeli influencer and activist, shares his insights on the challenges and potential pathways for reconciliation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He also offers his perspective on the rise of pro-Palestinian protests and the BDS movement in Western countries. 

On a Friday morning in a small Milton-Parc appartment, we gratefully interviewed Maïtée Labrecque-Saganash. Maïtée is an activist, author, animator, political figure and proud community member of Waswanipi First Nation. She grew up in Quebec city, but spent most of her summers connecting with community and the land where she feels most at home in Waswanipi, which is situated around the middle of Quebec. She now writes for The Nation magazine, which addresses Cree news. Her father, Romeo Saganash was a federal MP for the New Democratic Party in the Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou riding in northern Quebec, serving the party between 2011-2019. Beyond her writing and political work, Maïtée is actively involved in the wellness and advocacy for her nation, along with that of other Indigenous nations in Canada and around the world.

In this episode, Lina, Zack and Yussif sit down with Zeyad Abisab, former General Coordinator of SPHR Concordia (Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights), to discuss his journey as an activist and the impact of grassroots movements. Zeyad reflects on his upbringing, the role of family and mentors in shaping his activism, and the ongoing challenges faced by the Palestinian youth movement. From mass mobilizations to strikes, Zad highlights the importance of storytelling, community solidarity, and media in combating misconceptions. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the fight for justice and how young activists continue to push boundaries for change.

In this episode, Antonio, Tania and Camila interview Nelly from climate justice Montreal. She discusses what Climate Justice Montreal does and her role in this movement. She also gives activist advice, from her experience in the activist world. 

This interview, hosted by Saraluz Barton-Gomez, Naia Ballman, and Samuel Gold, introduces Montreal activist, SCPA alum, and law student, Jay Sallos-Carter, exploring their story as an activist. The conversation touches on a variety of movements and moments that have been fundamental to their work. We begin by exploring their initial forays into activism through the Occupy Wall Street movement and its manifestations across Canada and make our way through their experience in Queer spaces and, most importantly, their work on Defund-Fest and abolitionist projects much more broadly. With moments of laughter, contemplation, and reflections on society, this podcast highlights the impact that one person can have on their community, and that community can have on a person. 

This episode features Mia Kennedy for an episode “Food for thought,” where we take a deep dive into the pressing issue of food insecurity Canadians are facing. Kennedy takes us through some of her inactivates she has participated in such as “Atwater Community Pantry” project, and a new start up campaign “fed-up”, as well as how she got to where she is today. Student life is a hot topic and how other activists can get involved while maintaining commitments to other aspects of their lives. The group also digs up some interesting conversations around policy and future movements towards this issue. Join us as we explore policy and activism, we hope to inspire others to take action on social issues.  

Anna Kryzynzki is a beacon of positivity, with a lifelong commitment to various activist movements. Beginning with feminism and student activism, she has since embraced anarchism. Her fervor for political engagement is contagious, motivating those around her. Batiment 7 stands as a prime example of a community-driven effort to reclaim what was rightfully theirs, demonstrating the power of grassroots organizing and resistance. While this project highlights her contributions to Batiment 7, Anna's journey throughout her career remains an inspiring story of dedication, growth, and unwavering commitment to justice. 

Description: Angelica Antonakopoulos is the academic coordinator at the Arts and Science Federation of Associations (ASFA) here at Concordia University. In this role, Angelica was originally tasked with campus upkeep, planning fun spirit week activities, and coordinating writing workshops. However, in October 2023, everything changed as Quebec announced its plan to massively increase tuition for out-of-province students. Within this podcast, Angelica discusses how her role at ASFA shifted entirely as she jumped into mobilizing against these tuition hikes. Here, Angelica delves into her activism before university, her motivations for participating in student mobilization, and the impact these efforts had on her goals, perceptions, relationships, and activism.  

Mostafa Henaway is a community organizer and advocate for migrant and temporary foreign workers' rights at the Immigrant Workers Center in Montreal. With over two decades of experience, he has tirelessly fought for social justice and labor equity. A researcher, PhD candidate at Concordia University, and author of Essential Work, Disposable Workers: Migration, Capitalism and Class, Mostafa brings a critical lens to the challenges faced by migrants under Canada’s Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP). In this interview, he discusses the systemic struggles these workers endure, the exploitation they often face in the workplace, and the campaigns aimed at securing their labor rights.

In this episode, we sit down with Koby Rogers Hall, an artist and activist whose journey has been profoundly shaped by her upbringing as a "dip brat," traveling extensively in her youth. These experiences, exposing her to diverse cultures and injustices from a young age, ignited her passion for performance arts and migrant justice. It led her to working with the Immigrant Justice Center, building artist-run spaces, and pursuing interdisciplinary work. Now, as an advocate for radical mothering and collective care, Kobycreates spaces for resilience and solidarity, offering a unique lens into the intersection of creativity and social change.