The Hum Podcast

Nora Sandigo is an activist and the legal guardian of over 2,000 children of undocumented immigrants. She joins us to discuss the documentary The Great Mother, the complexities of being undocumented, and what everyday people can do to fix the problem.

This week, hosts Gilad Cohen and Andrea Rodriguez welcome ... Gilad Cohen and Andrea Rodriguez. Join our hosts as they chat about mental health in the workplace, growing up with immigrant mothers, and what it's like to meditate for ten days straight.

Sasha Joseph Neulinger is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, acclaimed filmmaker, and inspirational speaker. He joins us to discuss his documentary Rewind, how to create spaces for survivors, and learning to love himself again.

Todd "Speech" Thomas is a Grammy-winning musician, the frontman for the hip-hop group Arrested Development, and an advocate for prison reform. He joins us to discuss the documentary 16 Bars, why it is so difficult to change the prison-industrial complex, and music's role in social justice.

Mohamad Lazakani is a student, photographer, and Syrian refugee. He joins us to discuss his experiences fleeing war, settling in Toronto, life after the inspirational news stories, and why he will always consider Syria home.

Jeeti Pooni is a survivor of sexual abuse, a published author, and an advocate for the rights of survivors. She joins us with director Baljit Sangra to discuss the documentary Because We Are Girls, how the justice system can better support people living with trauma, and why she has hope for future generations.

Shaparak Shajarizadeh is a mother, asylum seeker, and an activist for women's rights in Iran. She joins us to discuss Iran's gender dynamics, her struggles with survivor's guilt, and what Canada's role should be in promoting gender equality.

Rod MacLeod is one of over 100 boys who was sexually assaulted by Father William "Hod" Marshall and the subject of the documentary Prey. He joins us with director Matt Gallagher to discuss his 50-year struggle with trauma, how the Catholic Church has continued to fail survivors, and if the institution has really changed.

Women are the fastest growing prison population worldwide. Bianca Mercer is a prison reform advocate, a former inmate, and subject of the film Conviction. She joins us with co-director Nance Ackerman to discuss their film, why we need to shift our resources from imprisonment to community-based rehabilitation, and the enduring stigma of life after prison.

Waad and Hamza al-Kateab are activists, survivors of the ongoing civil crisis in Syria, and also the proud parents of two children. Waad and Hamza join us this week with co-director Edward Watts to discuss their film For Sama, the hardships of living in Syria, and finding love in the midst of civil unrest.