In 1984, Silvia Ruegger became the first Canadian woman to run an Olympic marathon. Her Canadian record wouldn’t be beaten for an impressive 28 years. After a career-ending accident, Silvia would never try to break her own record again. But that wasn’t what she cared about anymore. For the rest of her life she brought running and reading to kids in some of Toronto’s most vulnerable communities.

A new generation’s search for spiritual meaning takes them in a very different direction than their parents. For Adam Adachi and Francis Lamonica, both in their early 20s, a low point in their lives led them to organized religion, via the Guardian Angels Parish in Brampton. What they’ve found is something more personal than the faith of their parents’ generation.

Nathanael Williams killed a man when he was barely 16. He spent most of his life growing and maturing in Canada’s tough and sometimes unfair prison system, where he’s always been held accountable. At 43, he hopes he will soon be released.  Mary Wiens joins former CBC colleague Kim Steffler as Nathanael tells his story. And they meet a Corrections officer who helps Black inmates like Nathanael prepare for parole hearings.

Bashir Harba is one of thousands of Syrians who came to Toronto to escape a brutal civil war. But one thing still haunts him: his brother’s death in a notorious Syrian prison. On the latest edition of The Torontonian, you’ll hear Bashir’s story. And we’ll tell you about another Canadian, Bill Wiley, whose efforts have already brought some Syrian war criminals to justice.

Growing up during China’s Cultural Revolution, Mary Wu was trained to become a ‘barefoot doctor’. Here in Toronto, she led the campaign to have acupuncture regulated in Ontario. She also founded one of the most prestigious TCM schools in North America.  Looking back over the past 30 years, Dr. Wu says she was made for this – bringing the ancient wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine to Canadians

A lot of Torontonians love subway trains, streetcars and buses as kids. But not all of them grow up to be passionate advocates for moving Torontonians around. Mary Wiens and guest host Emmett Shane spoke to Steve Munro and Steve Wickens — two of Toronto’s toughest transit watchdogs.

Personal trainer Jenna Doak says the body positive movement helped her accept her own body shape. Now she’s transforming how her clients see themselves and what it means to be fit.

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