Have you ever travelled to another country and felt utterly lost and isolated because you didn't speak the local language. That's how newcomers feel leaving their homes to create a new life here in Canada. Some may know a tiny amount of English, others none. Bridges English Language School offers a specialized approach to learning English. 

Laura Castillo is its creator. She touches on the challenges newcomers face learning English and how we can better improve learning to ensure no one falls through the cracks. 

https://www.bridgesels.com/

Utilizing the energy and political movements of Punk rock, a new bedroom band has one goal to lift spirits with their eclectic blend of fuzzed-out punk and deconstructed pop. Olenka Krakus and Jeffrey Moon created positive People. Their song "Praise Be" is about mental health journeys, mourning, and gratitude.

Let's meet up with Olenka, who shares her journey with music, English literature, her Family's flight from Communist Poland, and how she became involved in the Lower Mainland's punk scene.

http://positivepeople.ca/

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

The past few years have been difficult for most people. We've heard stories of lost jobs and people losing everything. Homelessness, addiction, mental health, employment and food security have become much more apparent and a reality for many more. But these are things that people have been struggling with for much longer than during the pandemic. 

Non-profits can go a long way in helping those who have fallen through the cracks of society. Peg City Kindness Crew is one such organization that has popped up in the past few years. Although volunteering and support are critical, improving attention to these issues and challenging our governments is the only way to make meaningful change. 

https://www.facebook.com/PegCityKindness

According to all scientific evidence, we will have to make some dramatic changes in the coming years to ease the impact of the imminent climate emergency. Scientific approaches are important, but we can also learn a lot from elders and knowledge keepers of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities.

That's where the Lake Winnipeg Indigenous Collective comes in.

https://www.lwic.org/

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

Established in 2001, Returning to Spirit provides healing and reconciliation workshops nationwide.

A mother, grandmother, and residential school survivor, Executive Director Lisa Raven applies her experiences and expertise to the idea of reconciliation, working with people to help them move forward from what has been keeping them stuck in life.

https://www.returningtospirit.org/

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

Chubby Cree is a Grandmother-Grandson duo that uses the healing power of music to empower women and youth and increase awareness of social issues across their hometown of Edmonton.

The group has released its first single, “Rock Your World.”

Carol and Noah share their musical journey and how they are bringing both women and children to the drum. 

https://www.facebook.com/chubbycree/

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

It can be a struggle when one has a long-term illness. It eats away not only your physical self but your mental health. An independent artist is taking the pain of illness and emotional loss and turning it into music.  

Here's Vivek Mehmi telling us about his journey and his new release, "Around Your Finger." 

https://www.vivekmehmi.com/

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

Making a difference in your community can be tricky. Where do you start, and what should you even do.

An initiative through Volunteer Manitoba is helping Youth achieve that goal, making a difference in their community. Small or big, every project can make a difference.

Three members of a team project shared why they wanted to get active in their neighbourhood.

For Black Youth interested in participating in the project contact [email protected]

 Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

Having been a member of several bands over the years, Jesse wanted to create a passion project with his wife, Tessa.

In an independent release, I Think You, And Maybe Me, the songs were written to explore new ways of making noise and facilitating unique manners of imagining possible futures. 

Sit back, relax, and enjoy as we take you on a journey of understanding our connection to music, the challenges people face in the music industry, and learning how to enjoy life. 

https://wishkaah.bandcamp.com/

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

Humans have done amazing things, building massive structures, creating mesmerizing art, and witnessing the cosmos. However, we've put an enormous strain on our planet with these accomplishments.

A musician has released an album to evoke the healing nature of trees and encourage listeners to think about their world and the climate.

The album is called Songs for Trees.

https://norinebraun.com/

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.