When we talk about our community, we often forget that there were communities here long before our ancestors ever set foot on the land. The Community for Niagara Podcasters Network includes the indigenous people of Niagara. Personally, I love the new to me perspectives that Karl Dockstader and Sean Vanderklis are bringing to the network. But more importantly, I hope their podcast One Dish, One Mic opens up new opportunities to move beyond conversation and into action towards reconciliation.

A long-time veteran of Niagara media, Grant LaFleche is no stranger to controversial words or topics. He forces you to think about the various goings-on in Niagara, even if he has to drag you kicking and screaming out of your own echo chamber to do it.

I'm so pleased that he's decided to join us at Niagara Podcasters Network with his new Podcast, the Grant Rant.

Derek (Deek) Veenhof is part of a growing number of Niagara Media Millenials. Folks who are realizing the old ways aren't working for them, and rather than waiting around they are forging their own path.

By most rights, Deek shouldn't have access to the kinds of interviews he gets. But he gets them because he hustles. He asks. If you listen to the show you'll hear all sorts of fascinating conversations. The kind that let you while away an afternoon working or doing some chores around the house.

Jim Squires and Shane McCafferty were the very first podcast to join the network. One time, at PodCamp Toronto, I told Jim that he should do a show with Shane. Jim said he didn't think Shane would agree because Shane didn't like him very much. I told him that was BS but asked Jim if he would do it if I could get Shane to say yes. The rest, as they say, is an *&%$-ton of expletive-filled history.

I rekindled my love of storytelling by starting up Freelance Foundations with my friend and cowork colleague Allison Smith. Together we explore issues around the indy workforce. Nobody doubted Allison's prowess with written words, but it's been amazing to see how she's adapted to being behind the mic.

I don't think we do enough anymore of learning about each other. Sitting back with someone and just talking with them, getting to know about them and the things that matter to them. When you do that, you become connected to that person. And that connection lasts.

Greg Miller's podcast, The Niagarans, creates conversations like that with some of Niagara's most interesting people. Listen with me and you'll understand what I mean.

Being immersed in Niagara's indy workforce at Cowork Niagara, I get to see a lot of Millenials work. They know how to hustle. But they hustle for things are imporant to them. That's why I know they don't get the respect they're earning. A lot of that can come down to misunderstandings between generations. Valerie Chalmers and Arienne Good are the Empowered Millenials, and their show on Niagara Podcasters Network will help break down those misunderstandings and — I hope — show people the fantastic potential of this generation.

One of our goals is to help amplify voices for those whose story isn't as well-heard in traditional media. The Practical Feminist is an example of that kind amplification in action. Laura Ip and Ruth Unrau provide an interesting mix on a wide variety of topics from a feminist lens. This is our most popular show on the Niagara Podcasters Network, and as you'll hear, it's easy to understand why.