TW: This podcast episode includes discussions about sexual health.

Welcome Eugenia Ochoa (she/her) and Antu Hossain (she/her) to the podcast! In our season finale, Eugenia and Antu introduce us to their innovation project: Spectrum, a holistic virtual space for sexual health and wellness that is built using a community-based approach. We discuss the gaps in sexual health and wellness and how Eugenia and Antu plan to transform sexual health care to include diverse community experiences.

Eugenia Ochoa (@ochoaeu) and Antu Hossain (@antuhossain1) met while working in a gender equality space. Eugenia has a background in community engagement and Antu in global health. Together, they co-founded Spectrum, a holistic virtual space for sexual wellness. They are working to connect multi-allied sexual health providers with diverse communities, mobilize resources, and co-create healthcare that is inclusive and transparent for all. They are also the winners of the Best Social-Economic Impact Solution and Public Choice Awards at Cooperathon 2020 - the largest social innovation competition in Canada. Follow these two ladies on their LinkedIn or their Twitter. 

Stay connected with us @openwideTO on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you enjoyed the music, listen to more of Sofia Fly's work @djsofiafly.

Podcast transcriptions available here: tinyurl.com/OWTOEP7Text

TW: This podcast episode includes discussions about sex and sexual health.

Welcome Karen B. K. Chan (she/they) to the podcast! In this episode, BK introduces us to her work on creating more inclusive educational materials for post-secondary institutions and organizations. She shares her tips on creating consensual connections with people around us and establishing our personal boundaries. We also talk about recognizing social cues and developing our emotional intelligence!

Stay connected with us @openwideTO on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you enjoyed the music, listen to more of Sofia Fly's work @djsofiafly.

Podcast transcriptions available here: tinyurl.com/OWTOEP6Text

TW: This podcast episode includes discussions about sex and masturbation.

Welcome Luna Matatas (she/her) to the podcast! In this episode, we talk everything about pleasure! Luna shares her insights on why it is important to educate ourselves about sexual experiences and to find out what brings us pleasure, whether we are single or in a relationship. Also, she shares her tips on purchasing sex toys and being a sex and pleasure coach on social media! 

Luna is a Sex and Pleasure Educator with over 10 years of experience teaching sexual health and empowerment workshops. She celebrates body confidence, self-adoration, and building shame-free pleasure in and out of the bedroom. She teaches a wide range of topics, including: threesomes, BDSM, butt stuff, and sexual confidence. Her advice on sex and kinks has been featured in Playboy, Cosmo, Vice, Women's Health, and Pornhub. Luna has also created Peg the Patriarchy and Mediate Medicate Masturbate brans as part of her line of sex-positive and feminist merchandise. Catch Luna on Instagram and Twitter @lunamatatas and at her website https://lunamatatas.com.

Stay connected with @openwideTO on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you enjoyed the music, catch more of Sofia Fly's work @djsofiafly.

Podcast transcriptions available here: To be added shortly

TW: This podcast episode includes discussions about domestic violence, sexual violence, sex, and trauma.

We are pleased to welcome Maame De-Heer (she/her) to the podcast! In this episode, we speak with Maame about domestic and sexual violence among immigrant women here in the GTA. We talk about how loved ones can offer support, the resources that are available to victims, and the role COVID-19 has had on victims.

Maame is a Policy Analyst with the Mental Health of Black Canadians team at the Government of Canada. Additionally, she is also a Clinical Research Analyst at Toronto General Hospital, where she investigating the barriers associated with ACB (African, Caribbean and Black) communities in undergoing kidney transplants and living organ donations. She is also a Board of Director member with the Mental Health Without Borders team. Maame is the Founder of the Power of Love Foundation Canada, a not for profit organization that provides resources and services to Black people in Ontario. You can connect further with Maame on LinkedIn, Twitter (@Maame_DeHeer), and Instagram (@Maame.DeHeer).

Stay connected with @openwideTO on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you enjoyed the music, catch more of Sofia Fly's work @djsofiafly!

Podcast transcriptions available here: https://bit.ly/3a0SU8E

Basic and Immediate Sexual Violence Resources (for Somali Canadians): https://bit.ly/2YelDkH

TW: This podcast episode includes discussions about sex, sexual health,  mental health, gender dysphoria, trauma, and suicidal ideation. 

Welcome back Bethany Daniels (they/them)! We had so much to talk with Bethany that we had to add it as a third episode!  This time, we discuss systemic barriers about accessing health care resources, using contraceptives like birth control, and why  it is important to have an intersectional and trauma-informed lens when seeking counselling or coaching.

Bethany is a peer counsellor and based in Toronto. As a Black, Trans, and Queer person, Bethany has previously worked as a performer, a childcare worker, a sex educator, and an artist. They use their experience and skills to provide an intersectional and trauma-informed lens to connect with and support their clients. You can connect further with Bethany over on Instagram @vivariumcoaching or their website www.vivariumcoaching.com. 

Stay connected with @openwideTO on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you enjoyed the music, catch more of Sofia Fly's work @djsofiafly!

Podcast transcriptions available here: https://bit.ly/39iZgje

TW: This podcast episode includes discussions about sex, sexual health,  mental health, and trauma.

Say hello to Bethany Daniels (they/them), a peer counsellor and based in Toronto. As a Black, Trans, and Queer person, Bethany has previously worked as a performer, a childcare worker, a sex educator, and an artist. They use their experience and skills to provide an intersectional and trauma-informed lens to connect with and support their clients.

In this episode, we discuss the stigma around sexual health and how to have these difficult conversations. We also explore the benefit of seeking counselling, finding low-cost alternatives, and how to navigate online sexual health resources.

You can connect further with Bethany over on Instagram @vivariumcoaching or their website www.vivariumcoaching.com. As well, stay connected with Open Wide TO over on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @openwideTO.

Did you enjoy the music? Catch more of Sofia Fly's work on Instagram @djsofiafly!

Podcast transcriptions available here: https://bit.ly/37Zr2Sc

Episode 1:

TW: This podcast includes difficult discussions on sexual health, mental health, and trauma.

We are so excited to introduce Open Wide TO to the world! In this first episode, we welcome our first guest Kiran Punia (she/her), a graduate of the Neuroscience Graduate Program at McMaster University who currently works as a Research Assistant at the Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research. Kiran discusses the barriers facing South Asian women in accessing health care resources, her research in substance use and eating disorders, and her difficult experience getting diagnosed and treated for her polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). 

Did you enjoy the music? Catch more of Sofia Fly's work! Follow her @djsofiafly !

Transcription text available here: https://bit.ly/36XXDay

TW: This episode clip includes difficult discussions on sexual health, mental health, and trauma.  

Meet Kiran Punia as she discusses her experience as a South Asian female seeking sexual health resources from her community, her school, and her doctors. 

Music by Sofia Fly. Follow her over @djsofiafly !

Transcriptions available over here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16HsmrdGRS10EzxguTgj8VwqaHqiNVW3tzU5MCjIhCFQ/edit?usp=sharing

This is Henna from RiseTO and our team will be launching our own podcast! Woohoo! Open Wide TO is a podcast that aims to share the experiences of QTBIPOC youth in navigating Toronto's sexual health and wellness resources. Our first episode drops on December 8, so follow @openwideTO on social media to stay updated!