This Is Why

Addiction to drugs and alcohol afflicts an estimated one-fifth of Canadians, including Elliot Hudson, a former addictions counsellor.

In this episode of This Is Why, Jane Gerster joins the show to discuss Elliot's life, his struggles with addiction and his struggles with the justice system.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

Guest:

Jane Gerster, national features report, Global News. Read her full story on Elliot's life.

Juneteenth is an unofficial national holiday in the United States for African Americans, coast to coast. But the events that followed their “second independence day” would go on to shape the Canadian Prairies.
In this episode of This Is Why, we look at an important day for Black History Month and ask what Juneteenth has to do with Canadian history and why Canadians should know about the holiday celebrated in 46 states.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

Guests:

Alley Wilson, multimedia producer, Globalnews.ca

David Este, professor, University of Calgary

"We Are The Roots" documentary, created by David Este and Jenna Bailey

Hockey is a game thousands of Canadians love to watch and play every day. But one hit in a 2012 beer league hockey game ended up costing one man $700,000 and the other man his way of life.
In this episode of This Is Why, we ask why rec league hockey players across Canada should care about what happened in an Ontario courtroom, because what happens on the ice doesn't always stay on the ice.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

Guests:

Joseph Cescon, partner, McLeish Orlando LLP

Lori Lopez, executive director, Canadian Adult Recreational Hockey Association

Just before Christmas 1987, a young woman left 'Baby Mary' in a Calgary parking lot and walked away. Thirty years later, the same events played out in the same city.
In this episode of This Is Why, we ask why someone would abandon a baby and whether an abandoned baby would want to be reunited with their birth parents.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

Guests:

Teanna Elliot a.k.a. "Baby Mary"

Dr. Jessica Shaw, assistant professor, University of Calgary

The Alberta government, led by Jason Kenney, vowed to fight a war of words to defend the province’s oil and gas industry. Dubbed the Canadian Energy Centre, the so-called energy war room has had a rocky first month, full of public gaffes.
In this episode of This Is Why, we ask where the Canadian Energy Centre made their public mistakes and what they could have done differently.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

Email us - [email protected]

Guests:

Sean Mallen, communications specialist

Max Fawcett, freeelance journalist and former editor of Alberta Oil magazine

We live in a confusing world… so if you’ve ever stopped and asked yourself WHY something matters, we’re here to help. Every week Adam Toy and Dave McIvor will ask one big question and uncover the answer to help you truly understand what’s going on around you.

They''l try to get to the bottom of the issue by chatting with experts, journalists and even folks directly involved.

They may not have all the answers to climate change, world politics or the economy BUT you can join them on this weekly expedition as we get you some straight answers.

A quick announcement: We're taking a break this December. However, we'll still be releasing some great bonus content throughout the month. 

Thanks for all your support and happy holidays!
Niki & John

Twitter: @thisiswhy

Email: [email protected]

Gary Haupt, 69, said he was fired as the Cherry Lane Shopping Centre Santa Claus in Penticton, B.C., because of what mall management considered to be inappropriate photos he posted on social media. Gary joined Niki Reitmayer to give his side of the story...

If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show.

Twitter: @thisiswhy

Email: [email protected]

Jon Hedican lost his son to fentanyl in 2017. Now, he would like the B.C. Coroner’s Service to change the way they labeled his son's death to reflect the new terminology.

Also, we remember the life of Canadian musician John Mann.

Mental health, parenting, losing your hair...these are all aspects of cancer treatment we don't always talk enough about and this is why.

If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show.