Upopolis: The Podcast

Join Krista, Upopolis Director for 20 rapid fire questions that youth ask about Upopolis. From how to get an account to how to use Upopolis to navigate feeling lonely, she has it covered. 

Did you know that Upopolis is going to be as app? Yes! She covers that too!

Join Krista, Upopolis National Program Manager, and Tia, the Upopolis child life intern from McMaster University, for this episode. Tia takes over the podcast to speak with Madi, a Camp Fromaway camper, about navigating conversations while living with a chronic illness and her experiences with Cystic Fibrosis.

Join Krista, Upopolis National Program Manager, and Tia, the Upopolis child life intern from McMaster University, for this episode. Tia takes over the podcast to have a conversation with Jenna, a long-time Upopolis member and healthcare advocate, as they discuss navigating conversations with others about chronic illness and the power of self-advocacy.

Join Krista, Upopolis National Program Manager, as she reviews the current referral process for youth to join the Upopolis community and the background behind why the Upopolis team adjusted the age range for members. 

Join Upopolis/ Referral Process Chart- Click Link

Refer a Youth- Click Here (for professionals)

Self-Refer- Click Here (for youth)

Join Krista Naugler, CCLS for episode 44 (not 43) as she shares about a new publication, a grief journal for youth titled Wanderings: A Wayfinders Notebook and the 5th U Got This! Challenge: Wandering Around in Grief. The U Got This Challenge is a four-week grief support program which starts Monday, Feb. 3rd, 2025, see poster and it is free for youth 13-23. Listen to the podcast for all the details and use the QR code on the poster to sign up. Wanderings is a 100-page, full-colour notebook for youth created to offer tools and strategies to help navigate emotions in healthy and supportive ways. 
To purchase a Wanderings notebook visit Amazon, Indigo, or email [email protected] for more information. 
Teachers, for the U Got This! Wandering Around in Grief lesson plans email [email protected] or watch for them to be added to Teacher Pay Teacher. The first five teachers to give feedback on the lesson plans after implementing them in their classrooms will each receive a free Wanderings notebook. 
Note: The Upopolis team will be giving five participants in the U Got This Challenge a free copy of the Wandering Notebook. A draw will take place on Feb. 3rd, 2025 each youth registered at the time will have their name entered in the draw.

Join Krista, the Upopolis podcast host for episode 43 (Oops! She may have said 42 in the episode) as she chats with Lily and Sarah about being young adult mentors, common grounds groups, Upopolis, and research they did that led them to work with the Upopolis team.
For youth interested in joining a common grounds session, please click and complete the application in this link. 

Join Krista, our Upopolis National program manager and podcast host to learn about the steps to get connected with Upopolis as a youth and for professionals interested in referring youth. Krista guides listeners through the referral process, highlights some of the opportunities Upopolis is currently offering youth, and reviews other resources available on the website e.g. posters, rack cards, links, and additional content.

Know a youth who wants to join? Click here to make a referral
Are you a youth? Click here to express interest in joining Upopolis and our new Common Grounds events for specific diagnoses.
Register for CF virtual summer camp, click here

Join Upopolis host Krista Naugler and Upopolis Intern Betina Sales for this episode. Betina takes over host of the podcast to interview for a candid conversation with guests Certified Child Life Specialists Shaindy Alexander and Melissa Dodaro to explore the impactful work of Child Life Specialists in legacy-building and grief support. Drawing from their extensive experience, they provide invaluable insights into the delicate process of creating legacies and offer practical guidance for those navigating the loss and grief.
Upedia Webinar with Shaindy, Put on your rainboots – Including and supporting children through serious illness, death, dying, and grief.

Books mentioned in this episode:

• The Invisible String
• The Gift of The Ladybug
• The Gift of Gerbert’s Feathers
• Ida, Always

Link to PDF Talking to Kids about Serious Illness: The 6 C's and the 3 W's

Children’s Grief Awareness Symposium, Nov 14/15, 2023 -Register Here

In this episode, April Young, Camp Director from Camp Maple Leaf / Jacob Island joins Krista to talk about what their camp offers, what parents can look for in a camp, tips, stories, and more.
Check out Camp Maple Leaf on their website and specifics on Jacob Island Programs.
Youth can also check out more information about camps offered across Canada and tips for going to camp in the U Camp group on Upopolis.

Click here for the Canadian Alliance for Grieving Children and Youth's list of bereavement camps and here for the Canadian Camping Association list of Camps by province. 

It's a long one but it is packed with good resources including our favourite books and activities that go along with them.  Be sure to check it out and the links below to see the books that the Upopolis team refers to including Lifetimes, I Like Myself, 52 Lists for Happiness, Just as You Are, The Gift of the Ladybug, Hello in There, Have You Filled Your Bucket, Invisible String and more. We forgot to mention this one but is another great feelings book, My Many Colored Days, and this other one that just got released last week, What Does Grief Look Like. What are your favourites? Tag Upopolis on social.