The Root & Seed Podcast

Season 6 is upon us! 

After almost 40 episodes of reflecting on our cultural discovery, appreciation, and preservation journeys, we wanted to remain reflective, but allow a bit more fluidity into our guests' stories. And this season we have some unbelievable guests. They are introspective, empathetic, heart-centered, and creative. Yes, all of them. But in different ways... and yet the common thread in all of those traits is how we are with others. Specifically our relationships. 

Have you ever thought about how your relationships are impacted by the lens of your upbringing, culture, and lived experiences? Well our guests this season certainly have! 

We speak to Mita Mallick a corporate change maker who is debunking the myths related to inclusion in the workplace, Eric Michael Hernandez an indigenous hoop dancer who’s TedTalk about his journey is inspiring people to meet their truest selves and with Brittany Muddamalle of “Almost Indian Wife” who’s relationship with her husband’s culture and family means that her mixed children are learning to respect and honour all parts of their whole selves.

What’s most special about these interviews is that they not only inspire, but they leave us with real, tangible advice on how they have become better contributors to society with stronger relationships to the people and institutions around them. How they’ve harnessed their background and experiences, relationship with culture and tradition and become curious about how they can intentionally take what aligns forward.

It’s a lot of “root” and plenty of “seed” this season.  We can’t wait for you to meet our guests, launching Sept 28th.

Hosted by Anika Chabra, Executive Produced by Jenn Sirirpong Mandel and Edited by Emily Groleau & Camille Blais.  We can’t wait to bring another season of Root & Seed.

What a way to end a season on identity! Charlene SanJenko's “official” journey to uncover her Indigenous roots started eight years ago.  However, we learn that in order to truly live into herself, she had to dig deeper into earlier experiences to inform how she wanted to move forward now, as a proud Indigenous woman.  As leader for a platform called reGEN Media she is helping to reimagine the system of creative storytelling for the underrepresented, and for investment and funding so that it betters all.  Check out one incredible project called “Coming Home” https://www.regenimpactmedia.com/projects-coming-home/ including ways to support.

About: Charlene is an Indigenous Storyteller, Impact Producer, and Media Visionary. Born in the Splatsin Band of the Shuswap Nation, Charlene believes in creating from a place of collective genius, celebrating cohesive partnerships that bring stories of hope and possibility alive. Charlene leads a team at reGEN media who is introducing a new approach to align progressive creative projects with strong brands with the intent of striking partnerships and investment to propel lasting success for all involved. She holds a solid reputation in the social impact space with a former corporate background in investment services, marketing & communications, and impact production.

There’s something about Samanta Krishnapillai’s story that is familiar yet unique, destined yet delightful, average yet special.  As the founder of On Canada Project, Samanta and her team are distilling information and dispelling myths so that Canadians can truly comprehend societal issues and happenings.  Where does she get this drive?  A mystery perhaps, or is this the result of her upbringing, early experience as a brown girl in a white world, her schooling and most recently as a result of having a point of view on happenings during the Covid-19 Pandemic.  Unlike her parents' generation who were in Canada to survive, Samanta is on a mission to thrive, and in turn make an impact using her experiences, intellect and now platform to institute change. 

@samkrish_ and OCP @oncanadaproject

They say we remember moments not days. In part two of our interview with Dr. Jenny T. Wang, Dr. Wang crystallizes a moment between her and her mom, that feels relatable for all immigrants and their descendants, showing them that their hard work and sacrifices were ultimately worth it. Listen to that and more, including thoughts on resolving the role of our generation and how we can invite in tradition in a healthy way. And the way Dr. Wang lights up when answering the question around family food and recipes, will have you craving a meal and time shared with your elders.

Dr. Jenny T. Wang is a Taiwanese American clinical psychologist and national speaker on the intersections of Asian American identity, mental health, and intergenerational and racial trauma. Her professional mission is to destigmatize mental health within the Asian community and empower Asian Americans to prioritize their own mental well-being. She spearheaded the Asians for Mental Health therapist directory (www.asiansformentalhealth.com) to connect individuals with culturally reverent mental health care for Asian American diasporas. She created the Instagram community Asians for Mental Health (@asiansformentalhealth), where she explores the unique ways in which Asian American identity impacts our mental health. Her first book, Permission to Come Home: Reclaiming Mental Health as Asian Americans was published by Grand Central Balance in May 2022. She is a mental health advisory member of Wondermind and The Mental Health Coalition.

Just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Heritage month, we bring you part one of this two part series with clinical psychologist, Dr. Jenny T. Wang. In one of our most heart-felt, honest discussions to date we discuss about what it means to be descendants of immigrants, compassion and empathy for our parents' generation, and our role jostling between aging elders and the next generation, our children. Dr. Wang shares her professional insights gained from being an advocate for Asian American identity and mental health, together with personal stories of her own family - the dynamics and moments that defined her own story and now gifts to the world.

Dr. Jenny T. Wang is a Taiwanese American clinical psychologist and national speaker on the intersections of Asian American identity, mental health, and intergenerational and racial trauma. Her professional mission is to destigmatize mental health within the Asian community and empower Asian Americans to prioritize their own mental well-being. She spearheaded the Asians for Mental Health therapist directory (www.asiansformentalhealth.com) to connect individuals with culturally reverent mental health care for Asian American diasporas. She created the Instagram community Asians for Mental Health (@asiansformentalhealth), where she explores the unique ways in which Asian American identity impacts our mental health. Her first book, Permission to Come Home: Reclaiming Mental Health as Asian Americans was published by Grand Central Balance in May 2022. She is a mental health advisory member of Wondermind and The Mental Health Coalition.

Daniel Mazzone grew up surrounded by familial influences in creativity, so it's no surprise that he became an artist. However, his upbringing and lived experiences didn't initially lead to success. Spending much of his youth on the streets of Toronto and pursuing a career that wasn't for him, Daniel eventually tapped into his early influences and a desire for more, leading him to pursue his passion for a life filled with the expression of human truths and authenticity.

In this interview, we delve deep into Daniel's life, from a soon-to-be-launched documentary on his travels, the inspiration behind his art, a trip to the Vatican, to a perfectly picked Conversation Card question that had Daniel coming full circle. You'll also hear in his own words why he believes that everyone should have parts of their life story tattooed on their skin.

Follow Daniel @danielmazzoneart

It’s one thing to be able to list off the places you've lived and the experiences you’ve experienced.  It’s another to understand how those textures and nuances are interwoven to make you uniquely you and to channel those into being a leader. This episode’s esteemed guest New York Times and Sunday Times best selling author and CEO of Become a Good Ancestor, Layla Saad is one such person.  We talk about everything from her upbringing to her faith, to her professional journey from lawyer to changemaker to who in Layla's family visits her in her dreams and another who is their home remedy healer.  If this doesn’t inspire you to make change in your circle, we don’t know what will!  

About our guest: Layla F. Saad is a New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author, antiracist educator, and international speaker. She is the founder and CEO of Become A Good Ancestor, a company and learning destination dedicated to helping changemakers build a better world without burning out. www.becomeagoodancestor.com

We are back with another family duo, this time father & daughter Ab and Layla Freig. Layla reflects on what it was like to grow up not fitting into a box, as a mixed Muslim and Jewish person and how her yearning to be connected to her background led to experiences that pushed the boundaries of what was evident and obvious around her. The connection between father and daughter is apparent through their respect for one another and we get to hear how Layla has learned so much from her upbringing providing her with gifts reflected in her ideals and values.

We top off the interview with an exchange using the Root & Seed conversation cards demonstrating the power of shared nostalgia, including what's up with the gold necklace! It's a story you don't want to miss. A moment we cherish and an interview to remember!

Ab Freig is an accomplished businessman; he was the president and CEO of the largest Ag companies in Canada and is now an entrepreneur and a university instructor. Ab is married and has two wonderful adult children.

Layla Freig is a financial, strategic and creative consultant and the founder of LF Consulting. She spends most of her time at work with entrepreneurs, helping to build and scale their businesses. She is a CPA who specializes in fashion, and she is often referred to as "the fun accountant." Outside of work, Layla loves travel, dance, and long walks on the beach. She also volunteers on a few different boards in Winnipeg, serving marginalized communities within the province and the arts & culture scene.

From the Oscars to Root & Seed in under a week!  This episode's guest is photographer of the rich and famous, George Pimentel. As a third generation photographer, George shares the stories behind the man he is today and how family, experience and connection to his roots has led to life of both balance and contradiction.  And he wouldn't want it any other way!  From travelling to his motherland of Portugal as a University student, to his first celebrity photograph of Robert DeNiro, to a project he started during Covid, all the way to what he's up to next, this interview will leave you searching for a way to bring connection to your heritage into your life. 

Aren't they?  In Part Two of our interview we hear Ryan's softer side including the people, traditions and rituals that make Ryan, Ryan.  All through the lens of his mixed heritage.  We hear Ryan's perspective on why being sad isn't so bad, how he's connected with his deceased family members through his dreams and how love through unique cultural ways is still love.  All heart, all love, all Ryan.

Ryan Alexander Holmes is an actor, content creator based out of Los Angeles. He is known for his strong presence on social media where he used comedy and writing to explore and embrace his mixed Chinese/African American heritage.  Follow Ryan @ryanalexh