TURN it up!

On this episode, Sapreet Buttar gives a recap of the South Asian Heritage Night Celebration that was held in Calgary in collaboration with the Calgary Flames featuring multiple interview segments and an overview of the successes of the special event. 

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“Apna Hockey is here for the longevity and health of hockey, we’re here to diversify the game and we’re here because we love the game… it’s a game that all Canadians can love, and it’s a game that South Asians are attracted to when they come to Canada.” - Lali Toor 

Apna Hockey is a South Asian organization and hockey network that looks to grow the game of hockey and make it inclusive to everyone not only nationally, but globally as well. The Universal Radio Network’s very own Sapreet had the opportunity to sit down with several members of Apna Hockey including co-founders Lali and Dampy as well as content creator Tanroop to discuss Apna Hockey’s vision, the South Asian Heritage Nights hosted in both Edmonton and Calgary and much more in this interview. 

At the beginning of their sit down, Lali, Dampy, Tanroop and Sapreet talk about the vision of Apna Hockey and the idea behind growing the game (0:31), whether the success of Apna Hockey also means if platforms such as Apna will cease to exist in the future (2:19), whether the first South Asian Night for the Calgary Flames comes at a time where it’s too early or too late (3:25), and what would define a successful South Asian Night (4:57). Next Tanroop gives his perspective on how he would like to see Apna Hockey evolve in the digital world (7:33), what Tanroop and Lali, and Dampy look forward to seeing the most on South Asian Night in Calgary (9:20), and final game predictions against the Los Angeles Kings (13:03). 

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“The one thing you want to escape, if you want to make money, is being a commodity… you want to try to put yourself in a category of one… and that’s the key, because if I see you as the expert, and I don’t want to work with anyone else, and you make me a great offer, then I’m going to trust you and stick with you.” - Zane Warren 

Zane Warren is a U of A Business alumni, a former college basketball player, and a marketing professional who specializes in client acquisition systems within the medical niche. The Universal Radio Network’s own Qashus had the opportunity to sit down with Zane to discuss all things marketing including marketing tools, strategies and much more in this episode. 

At the beginning of their discussion, Zane shares what has caught his attention in particular in the marketing space (1:14), marketing tools that have caught their interest (4:15), whether A.I tools will make specific jobs obsolete (5:10), if companies in today’s day and age need digital tools to be successful (7:25), what in his experience has been successful in terms of digital initiatives (10:25), his thoughts on what brands need to be more authentic (15:23), and then Zane shares his opinions and thoughts on the Bud Light advertisement controversy (19:04). Next, Qashus and Zane talk about how much should different brands and companies feel obligated to bring on influencers and individuals to represent them (25:08), what advice Zane would give to businesses looking to advertise on social media (27:38), if the approach of having a cohesive marketing strategy and being on all platforms is necessary to get the most return on investment (30:00), and finally, what advice he would give to younger individuals interested in marketing (33:08).  

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Sophia Qaderi is a junior policy analyst for Public Safety Canada in Ottawa for the federal government of Canada. The Universal Radio Network’s very own Qashus had the opportunity to sit down with Sophia to discuss her experience working in government, her choice of career path, the political landscape today and much more in this episode. 

“Aside from politics I think one of our most pressing issues is climate change… so in my masters, I did take a sustainability specialization to learn about the ropes and the ins and outs about how I can as a young leader in politics make some sort of change… of course, it is not very easy and it is an uphill battle but it is something that I will continue to work on and continue to inspire others to follow me in this pursuit of really influencing our leaders in climate change.” - Sophia Qaderi 

At the beginning of the interview, Sophia and Qashus talk about the Grammy Awards and how it went (4:35), how and why Sophia chose to be a Junior Policy Analyst (9:09), how the experience has been working for the government (11:18), if her career choice so far has been everything she has expected (12:04), what made her want to specialize in sustainability (12:49), and other experiences in government that she has had so far (14:23). Next Sophia talks about why youth today aren’t too engaged and informed about politics today (16:04), if there are any issues in politics today that Qashus’ is particularly passionate about (17:04), whether Sophia influenced or brought the politic side out of Qashus that wasn’t there before (19:43), why youth involvement is so important in the political landscape (20:53), what are some things youth can today to get involved into politics (21:49), why it’s important to women involved in political discussions  (23:20), and why climate change effects women differently from men (25:10). Next Sophia talks about how she feels about the political climate today (27:35), her thoughts on the current political leaders (29:00), and some points of optimism that people can look towards in politics today (30:47). Nearing the end of their discussion, Sophia asks Qashus whether their discussion has changed his mind on the importance of politics (33:40), if Qashus is concerned about his future given the current landscape (35:20), his thoughts on Vivek Ramaswamy and the direction the US would of taken if he continued his campaign (40:30). 

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“So many people don’t take vacations and are so committed to their life, their job, and their career, and their identity… and sometimes escapism is the only way you can put physical distance in between these things that we are obsessed with,” - Jarret Kamm 

Jarret Kamm is a radio host, who is currently in pursuit of doing his Radio and Television Program at NAIT. Jarret also has worked at the University of Alberta’s radio as a host and interviewer, notably interviewing Edmonton’s very own and Edmonton Stinger’s head coach, Jordan Baker. The Universal Radio Network’s Qashus had the chance to talk to Jarret about men’s mental health, dealing with the winter blues, the concept of escapism, and much more in this episode. 

At the beginning of their discussion, Jarret and Qashus discuss the idea and concept of ‘Blue Monday’ (2:04), how Jarret takes care of his mental health during the winter season (4:38), the benefits of travelling and how it can help with our mental health (8:22), and the concept of escapism (10:15). Next Jarret and Qashus talk about why Qashus chooses the topics he does for his live show (14:47), the importance of looking for different career paths and building different opportunities (24:24), Qashus’ favourite interview he has done so far (29:21), and if he found a deeper sense of camaraderie with the Doctor he met during an Afghan Men’s Mental Health Conference (32:45). Finally, Jarret shares what his highlight of 2023 was (37:27), the importance of seeking outside help when it comes to mental health (42:10), and piece of advice that Jarret would like to share with listeners (46:45). 

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“A lot of young people don’t understand the power of getting out of your comfort zone… I tell people a lot that you’re not going to achieve much once you’re in your own bubble… life’s greatest moments are one step away from your comfort zone, and it’s just all about taking the initiative,” - Tanroop Mahal 

Tanroop Mahal is a student at NAIT currently taking Human Resources, and is the Promotions Coordinator with NAIT Students’ Association helping create meaningful events for students. Tanroop is also currently working with APNA Hockey as a Digital Content Creator. The Universal Radio Network’s own Qashus had the opportunity to sit down with Tanroop to discuss his life as a student, working with APNA Hockey and his experience so far, building a network and fostering relationships and much more in this episode. 

At the beginning of the episode, Tanroop and Qashus discuss how he balances his student life while also working with APNA Hockey (0:50), if there is any activity that Tanroop consistently falls back towards while dealing with the chaotic nature of being a student (2:40), why he decided to take Human Resources and become the promotions coordinator at NAIT (4:20), how he got introduced to APNA Hockey (7:13), and how he got the role at APNA Hockey and his experience so far with the team (11:38). Next Tanroop gives his thoughts on the situation where the national anthem was sung in Punjabi at the Winnipeg Jets game (17:16), his thoughts on how students can look to build a network with others (20:53), the concept of following up and building relationships with others (29:34), and finally some of Tanroop’s favourite events that he has coordinated so far in his career and with NAIT (39:17).

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Jonita Gandhi, born in New Delhi, India but raised in Toronto, Ontario,  is a Canadian South Asian artist with over 16 million monthly listeners and has paved her way through the Bollywood industry for the last decade. Jonita is also 91 North Records’ first female artist and brings to the table a wealth of experience that combines cultural influence, and diverse genres in order to propel her in the next chapter of her musical journey. The Universal Radio Network’s very own Sapreet Buttar had the opportunity to talk with Jonita about her beginnings in the music industry, how she was able to find inspiration while growing up in Canada, her dream collaborations in the future and much more in this episode. 

“With every year and every project, I learn more and more about what I’m capable of and where I want to take my career… I didn’t know I wanted to write my own music until a few years ago… but my dreams and my goals keep evolving and I love that about this industry and field… it’s been a lot of ups and downs and self-discovery, but I feel like now I’m super grounded and I’m in a place where I can focus on doing what I want and not just what I feel like I’m supposed to do.” - Jonita Gandhi 

At the beginning of their discussion, Sapreet and Jonita talk about how Jonita got started in the South Asian music industry (0:40), if she is learning more about herself going through the process of being in the music industry (1:45), how Jonita was able to find inspiration while living in Canada (2:55), what her back-up option/fall back plan was if music didn’t work out (4:43), and how the multiple collaborations she has had help shaped her as an artist (4:47). Next Jonita gives some insight into her new track “Love Like That,” and what her fans can expect (6:44), what the music video will be like when it comes out (7:58), Jonita’s opinion on why fans aren’t seeing more Canadian South Asian artist collaborating together (8:52), and what her dream Canadian collaboration would be in the future (10:08). 

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On this episode of Wednesday Wellbeing with Gurjeet, Gurjeet takes a look at and talks about all things Mental Health Advocacy. Throughout the episode, Gurjeet discusses what Mental Health Advocacy is, how it differs from activism, the major topics in mental health advocacy in India, the stigma surrounding mental health advocacy, what self-advocacy is, and how we as individuals can strive to be advocates and the different ways we can achieve that goal. All of this and more in this episode of Wednesday Wellbeing: All Things Mental Health Advocacy with Gurjeet Gill!

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On this episode of Wednesday Wellbeing with Gurjeet, Gurjeet is joined by Neha Vashist, who is the Canadian Relations lead at Asana Voices. Neha also works for Alberta’s Ministry of Technology and Innovation in helping create AI policy, and is also a writer, director, and poet. Gurjeet and Neha cover a multitude of topics such in their discussion, such as what is ASANA Voices, how Neha first came across the non-profit organization, what her role in ASANA Voices is, the many initiatives that ASANA Voices has, the main projects and goals of the organization and much more in this episode. 

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On this episode of Wellbeing Wednesdays with Gurjeet, Gurjeet takes a deep dive and talks everything social media and mental health. Gurjeet first talks about the positives of social media and it’s associations with mental health and the different interactions that are found on a daily basis. Gurjeet then discusses the negative side of social media and how it impacts one’s own mental health, and the uncomfortable hard truths regarding mental health information and how it is shared across social media platforms and much more in this episode. 

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