Mind The Disruption

How do you foster healthy and just places and spaces through everyday public health work? Listen to this episode to learn from longtime environmental health officer Anita Ely about working in partnership, embedding an intentional health equity lens and creating healthy public policies to foster healthy built environments for all. 

Episode guest: Anita Ely is a Certified Public Health Inspector (Canada) working as a Specialist Environmental Health Officer with Interior Health in the southern Interior of BC. She began her career in more well-known health inspector roles such as inspecting restaurants, pools and drinking water systems and investigating potential health hazards. Since 2014 Anita has been focused on protecting populations at community level through the creation and implementation of healthy public policy with community partners that develops built environments that support the physical, social and mental health of community members. This inter-sectoral work is known as healthy built environments. As a 2nd generation white settler Anita is grateful for the stewardship and leadership of Secwépemc Nation on whose unceded, traditional and ancestral territory she has settled and now calls home.

Learn more:

Episode credits: This episode was produced by Rebecca Cheff and Pemma Muzumdar (NCCDH). Mind the Disruption is hosted by Pemma Muzumdar and led by Rebecca Cheff, with technical production and original music by Chris Perry. Promotion by Caralyn Vossen (NCCDH). Artwork by comet art + design. Special thanks to Bernice Yanful and Carolina Jimenez for contributing to the development of this season. 

What can we do to promote culturally safe places and spaces across the health system? Listen to this episode to learn about how Dr. Terri Aldred, the Academic Lead for the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health, disrupts dominant narratives about Indigeneity. Terri shares stories from her journey to become an Indigenous physician, outlines concrete actions practitioners can take to foster cultural safety, and encourages us all to work together for a brighter future. 

Episode Guest: Dr. Terri Aldred is Carrier from the Tl’Azt’En Nation located north of Fort St. James. Dr. Aldred has a Bachelor of Health Science Degree and a Doctor of Medicine Degree from the University of Alberta. In 2013 she completed her residency in the UBC Indigenous Family Medicine Program in Victoria. At present, Dr. Aldred is the Academic Lead for the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health, Executive Medical Director for Primary for FNHA, Family Physician for Carrier Sekani Family Services, the Indigenous Lead for the RCcBC. In 2018 she won the First Five Years in Practice Achievement award through the BCCFP, in 2021 she won the RDoC Mikhael Award for Medical Education, and in 2022 was recognized with a Rising Star UofA Alumni Award. She is passionate about Indigenous health, physician well-being, and medical education.

Learn more:

Episode Credits: This episode was produced by Pemma Muzumdar and Rebecca Cheff (NCCDH). Mind the Disruption is hosted by Pemma Muzumdar and led by Rebecca Cheff, with technical production and original music by Chris Perry. Promotion by Caralyn Vossen (NCCDH). Artwork by comet art + design. Special thanks to Bernice Yanful and Carolina Jimenez for contributing to the development of this season.

How can public health work with migrant farmworkers to ensure healthy and just housing conditions? Listen to this episode to learn about how our current system allows for unsafe housing conditions for migrant farmworkers. Kit Andres, long-time organizer with Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, shares recommendations developed by migrants themselves and opportunities for public health to be part of the solution.

Episode Guest: Kit Andres is a farmworker organizer with Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, which serves as secretariat for the Migrant Rights Network, the country’s largest migrant-led coalition. Kit is a 3rd generation white settler in the Niagara region of Dish with One Spoon treaty territory. As a citizen worker, they are united with their migrant, refugee, and undocumented neighbours to win full rights, dignity, and liberation for all.

Learn more: 

Episode Credits: 

This episode was produced by Rebecca Cheff and Pemma Muzumdar. Mind the Disruption is hosted by Pemma Muzumdar and led by Rebecca Cheff, with technical production and original music by Chris Perry. Promotion by Caralyn Vossen (NCCDH). Artwork by comet art + design. Special thanks to Bernice Yanful and Carolina Jimenez for contributing to the development of this season. Mind the Disruption is a podcast by the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health. NCCDH is hosted by St. Francis Xavier University and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the PHAC.

What makes a public green space healthy for everyone? Listen to this episode to hear how Dr. Nadha Hassen is disrupting the status quo through intersectional and anti-racist approaches in research and community collaborations. Nadha speaks with host Pemma Muzumdar, sharing unique insights on why public green spaces are a critical part of public health infrastructure.

Episode Guest: Dr. Nadha Hassen is a public health and environmental studies scholar focused on healthy, just, and equitable places and environments. Dr. Hassen’s research explores health and social equity and takes an interdisciplinary approach with a focus on intersectional anti-racism. Her research and evaluation work is community-engaged and participatory where she collaborates with marginalized communities to address the social, structural, and environmental determinants of health. As an interdisciplinary health researcher, she has worked at both policy and community levels, with experiences spanning grassroots and nonprofit organizations, hospitals, provincial government, and think tanks. Dr. Hassen has a PhD from the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change at York University and a Master of Public Health from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, specializing in Social and Behavioural Health Sciences.

Learn more:

Episode Credits: This episode was produced by Pemma Muzumdar and Rebecca Cheff (NCCDH). Mind the Disruption is hosted by Pemma Muzumdar and led by Rebecca Cheff, with technical production and original music by Chris Perry. Promotion by Caralyn Vossen (NCCDH). Artwork by comet art + design. Special thanks to Bernice Yanful and Carolina Jimenez for contributing to the development of this season. Mind the Disruption is a podcast by the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health. NCCDH is hosted by St. Francis Xavier University and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the PHAC. 

Welcome back! In the fourth season of Mind the Disruption, we focus on healthy and just places and spaces. 

We’ll explore topics such as the natural and built environment, belonging, a safe and secure place to call home, and cultural humility and safety. Join us as we reflect on opportunities for people in public health to work with others to create healthy and just places and spaces for everyone. Season 4 includes four episodes released starting in April 2026.  

This season of Mind the Disruption is hosted by Pemma Muzumdar, and is produced by Rebecca Cheff and Pemma Muzumdar. The Mind the Disruption project team is led by Rebecca Cheff, with technical production and original music by Chris Perry. Special thanks to Bernice Yanful and Carolina Jimenez for contributing to the development of this season. Mind the Disruption is a podcast by the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health. Visit our website to learn more about the podcast and our work.

In response to rising tensions and unmet needs in its downtown core, the City of Edmonton’s RECOVER Urban Wellbeing team and partners questioned assumptions and embarked on a journey of deep listening and co-creation of solutions with residents to cultivate connectedness and well-being. Check out this episode, featuring former RECOVER project manager Sue Holdsworth, to discover how RECOVER’s well-being framework can be used to transform how we design, deliver and evaluate programs and services to foster essential, but often overlooked, non-material aspects of health and well-being.     

(00:00) Introduction

(2:10) Interview with Sue Holdsworth

Episode Guest:

With two interdisciplinary degrees, Sue Holdsworth has worked for three local governments and an NGO as an urban planner, a social planner and a project manager. From 2020-2024, she was the project manager for RECOVER Urban Wellbeing at the City of Edmonton. It focused on people living on the margins and used social R&D to find and test new solutions. Sue has a love for learning and systems thinking, and she is drawn to complex, transformative projects.  

Learn more:

• City of Edmonton's Recover: Edmonton's Urban Wellness Plan 
• The Soulful City Report (includes Framework for a Culture of Wellbeing of page 146) (2020)
• Soloss

Episode Credits:

This episode was produced by Pemma Muzumdar, Rebecca Cheff and host Bernice Yanful (NCCDH). The Mind the Disruption project team is led by Rebecca Cheff, with technical production and original music by Chris Perry. Promotion by Caralyn Vossen (NCCDH). Artwork by comet art + design. Mind the Disruption is a podcast by the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health. NCCDH is hosted by St. Francis Xavier University and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the PHAC. 

Engage Nova Scotia is working to better measure, understand and improve well-being for all Nova Scotians through a large Quality of Life survey, accessible data tools and deep community engagement. Over two episodes, you will meet multiple members of the vibrant Engage Nova Scotia team: Chief Engagement Officer Danny Graham, Outreach and Participation Lead Tammy Ewing, Community Outreach Lead for Equity Deserving Communities kamilah apong, and public health leader and Chair of Engage Nova Scotia’s Board of Directors Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed. Check out this episode (Part 2 of 2) to discover how they are disrupting usual approaches to data collection, embedding equity and accessibility, and building relationships and trust to tell a more complete story about what drives well-being.

(00:00) Introduction

(2:10) Interview with Engage Nova Scotia team  

Episode Guests:

Danny Graham has worked to advance justice reforms with the United Nations and countries spanning four continents. From 2005-2014 he was the Chief Negotiator on Aboriginal Reconciliation for the Province of Nova Scotia. He is the Chief Engagement Officer for Engage Nova Scotia – a non-profit that is equipping all sectors, and all levels of government in Canada with data-driven analysis about statistically unknowable, and sometimes ignored, issues. He is the Chair of the Craig Foundation, which is focussed on causes that promote acceptance and inclusion for autistic individuals and families. 

kamilah apong is constantly dreaming of new futures, using hope as discipline (Mariame Kaba). she is a curious facilitator that uses the arts and participatory engagement strategies to change the way we think about research, knowledge, and connection. she is a student of the elders who came before her. she has 15 years of community arts practice and a Bachelor of Arts in critical studies in equity & solidarity from the University of Toronto. 

Tammy Ewing is dedicated to advocating for and elevating opportunities that help people overcome challenges faced by Nova Scotia communities. She champions opportunities that uplift and empower people to overcome adversity. Driven by collaboration with like-minded individuals, she believes in giving voice to those traditionally overlooked and is a staunch advocate for equity for all Nova Scotians. Tammy likes to give back by being active in her community and others. 

Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed is the Associate Dean of Serving and Engaging Society for Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, and the Chair of the Board of Engage Nova Scotia. She is a public health specialist physician with 19 years’ experience, and formerly served as the Medical Officer of Health for the Halifax area and Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health for Nova Scotia. Gaynor is a passionate advocate for high-quality public health services and for anti-oppressive health care in Canada.

Learn more:

• Engage Nova Scotia
• Eight Domains of Wellbeing Framework
• An Exploration of Wellbeing in Nova Scotia: A summary of results from the Nova Scotia Quality of Life Survey (2020)

Episode Credits:

This episode was produced by Pemma Muzumdar, Rebecca Cheff and host Bernice Yanful (NCCDH). The Mind the Disruption project team is led by Rebecca Cheff, with technical production and original music by Chris Perry. Promotion by Caralyn Vossen (NCCDH). Artwork by comet art + design. Mind the Disruption is a podcast by the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health. NCCDH is hosted by St. Francis Xavier University and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the PHAC. 

Engage Nova Scotia is working to better measure, understand and improve well-being for all Nova Scotians through a large Quality of Life survey, accessible data tools and deep community engagement. Over two episodes, you will meet multiple members of the vibrant Engage Nova Scotia team: Chief Engagement Officer Danny Graham, Outreach and Participation Lead Tammy Ewing, Community Outreach Lead for Equity Deserving Communities kamilah apong, and public health leader and Chair of Engage Nova Scotia’s Board of Directors Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed. Check out this episode (Part 1 of 2) to discover why it is important to think differently about how we understand what makes communities and societies successful, equitable, healthy and well.

(00:00) Introduction

(2:10) Interview with Engage Nova Scotia team  

Episode Guests:

Danny Graham has worked to advance justice reforms with the United Nations and countries spanning four continents. From 2005-2014 he was the Chief Negotiator on Aboriginal Reconciliation for the Province of Nova Scotia. He is the Chief Engagement Officer for Engage Nova Scotia – a non-profit that is equipping all sectors, and all levels of government in Canada with data-driven analysis about statistically unknowable, and sometimes ignored, issues. He is the Chair of the Craig Foundation, which is focussed on causes that promote acceptance and inclusion for autistic individuals and families. 

kamilah apong is constantly dreaming of new futures, using hope as discipline (Mariame Kaba). she is a curious facilitator that uses the arts and participatory engagement strategies to change the way we think about research, knowledge, and connection. she is a student of the elders who came before her. she has 15 years of community arts practice and a Bachelor of Arts in critical studies in equity & solidarity from the University of Toronto. 

Tammy Ewing is dedicated to advocating for and elevating opportunities that help people overcome challenges faced by Nova Scotia communities. She champions opportunities that uplift and empower people to overcome adversity. Driven by collaboration with like-minded individuals, she believes in giving voice to those traditionally overlooked and is a staunch advocate for equity for all Nova Scotians. Tammy likes to give back by being active in her community and others. 

Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed is the Associate Dean of Serving and Engaging Society for Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, and the Chair of the Board of Engage Nova Scotia. She is a public health specialist physician with 19 years’ experience, and formerly served as the Medical Officer of Health for the Halifax area and Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health for Nova Scotia. Gaynor is a passionate advocate for high-quality public health services and for anti-oppressive health care in Canada.

Learn more:

• Engage Nova Scotia
• Eight Domains of Wellbeing Framework
• An Exploration of Wellbeing in Nova Scotia: A summary of results from the Nova Scotia Quality of Life Survey (2020)

Episode Credits:

This episode was produced by Pemma Muzumdar, Rebecca Cheff and host Bernice Yanful (NCCDH). The Mind the Disruption project team is led by Rebecca Cheff, with technical production and original music by Chris Perry. Promotion by Caralyn Vossen (NCCDH). Artwork by comet art + design. Mind the Disruption is a podcast by the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health. NCCDH is hosted by St. Francis Xavier University and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the PHAC.

Many public health practitioners provide a range of supports focused on sexual and reproductive health. Listen to this episode to hear about how Dr. Saraswathi Vedam and her team at the Birth Place Lab are disrupting the status quo for reproductive health research in Canada by intentionally centring the voices and priorities of communities that are under-represented and excluded from health research. Saraswathi speaks with host Bernice Yanful about how she works with others to bring the Lab’s vision for “reproductive freedom, safety, and justice for every person” to life. 

Episode Guest: Dr. Saraswathi Vedam is Lead Investigator at the Birth Place Lab and professor of midwifery at University of British Columbia. Over 38 years, she has been a midwife, educator, parent, and researcher. Her scholarly work includes several community-based participatory action research projects on health equity. She worked with service users to develop new quality measures of autonomy, respect, and mistreatment in perinatal care.  These accountability tools have now been applied in 65 countries at the institutional, health system, and country levels.

(00:00) Introduction

(07:07) Interview with Dr. Saraswathi Vedam 

Learn more:

• The Birth Place Lab
• The Giving Voice to Mothers Study
• The RESPCCT Study: Community-led Development of a Person-Centered Instrument to Measure Health Equity in Perinatal Services (Vedam et al., 2024)
• Beyond Complacency: Challenges (and Opportunities) for Reproductive Justice in Canada (LEAF, 2022)
• Visioning New Futures for Reproductive Justice Declaration 2023 (Sister Song)

Episode Credits: This episode was produced by Pemma Muzumdar, Carolina Jimenez, Rebecca Cheff and host Bernice Yanful (NCCDH). The Mind the Disruption project team is led by Rebecca Cheff, with technical production and original music by Chris Perry. Promotion by Caralyn Vossen (NCCDH). Artwork by comet art + design. Sound credits: clips used from the Birth Place Lab, “talking people.MP3” by szalonegacie (CC0 1.0), “conference chatter 3.aif” by reecord2 (CC0 1.0), and “Walla_ses1.wav” by freesound (CC0 1.0). Mind the Disruption is a podcast by the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health. NCCDH is hosted by St. Francis Xavier University and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the PHAC. 

Check out this episode to learn from Chloé Cébron and Shezeen Suleman who are part of a growing movement mobilizing for the right to health care for all people living in Canada, regardless of immigration status. In this episode, Chloé, the director of policy and advocacy at Médecins du Monde, shares lessons from a successful advocacy campaign to expand health care coverage for all children living in Quebec. Then Shezeen, a midwife and co-chair of the Health Network for Uninsured Clients in Toronto, reflects on using advocacy as a strategy for health equity.

(00:00) Introduction

(6:44) Interview with Chloé Cébron

(40:04) Interview with Shezeen Suleman

Episode Guests: Chloé Cébron is a lawyer in international humanitarian law and human rights and the director of policy and advocacy at Médecins du Monde Canada. For nearly 15 years, she has worked for humanitarian health organizations as a legal, policy and advocacy advisor in a dozen countries. Since 2017, she has been working for Médecins du Monde Canada and coordinates the organization’s advocacy on access to health care for migrants with precarious status in Canada. Shezeen Suleman is a midwife in Toronto, co-leading the MATCH program at the South Riverdale Community Health Centre. She has worked as a midwife in the city for over 10 years and before this worked as a youth worker in neighborhoods across the city; these roots in community work inform her practice as a midwife. Shezeen also co-chairs the Health Network for Uninsured Clients in the GTA, aiming to create and maintain dignified pathways to care for people living without OHIP. 

Learn more:

Precarious immigration status, precarious health: Working together to ensure healthcare for all women living in Quebec (MdM, 2023)

Bill 83: Implementation & Information (MdM, 2021)

Health Network for Uninsured Clients resources & report (HNUC, 2023)

Let’s Talk: Advocacy & health equity (NCCDH, 2015)

Does public health advocacy seek to redress health inequities? A scoping review (Cohen & Marshall, 2017)

Disrupting Migrant Work [Season 1, Episode 4] (NCCDH, 2023)

Episode Credits: Production for this episode was led by Rebecca Cheff, with contributions from Carolina Jimenez, Pemma Muzumdar and host Bernice Yanful. The Mind the Disruption project team is led by Rebecca Cheff, with technical production and original music by Chris Perry. Promotion by Caralyn Vossen. Artwork by comet art + design. Mind the Disruption is a podcast by the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health. NCCDH is hosted by St. Francis Xavier University and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of PHAC.