We’re almost halfway through January; the cold’s biting, motivation’s hiding, and your physical wellness might feel like a distant goal. But what if it didn’t have to be that way?  

 Physical well-being is often boxed into gym routines, dieting, and the “fit” lifestyle, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a crucial part of overall wellness that affects our mental health, social connections, and even financial well-being. 

Though physical well-being might get talked about a lot —compared to topics like spiritual or financial well-being, which we unpacked in previous episodes, this overrepresentation can sometimes make it seem like there’s a one-size-fits-all approach. The truth is, physical wellness looks different for everyone, and it doesn’t have to come with pressure or unrealistic expectations. This episode reintroduces physical well-being as something inclusive, accessible, and deeply personal; something that fits your unique life and needs, whatever they may be.  

In this episode, our host Susu B sits down with Alicia Koebel, Coordinator of Fitness & Lifestyles at York University Athletics & Recreation. With over 15 years of experience as an athlete, coach, and certified Exercise Physiologist, Alicia shares insights from her research on access to physical activity for diverse student groups, and offers practical tips for making physical wellness part of your daily routine, no matter your starting point. Whether you’re a seasoned gym-goer or just beginning to think about movement, this conversation offers encouragement and fresh perspectives on reconnecting with your body in a way that feels good and sustainable.  

Resources:

• Student Health (Physical Activity)  https://students.yorku.ca/health/healthy-living/physical-activity 
• YU Athletics and Recreation: Offers a variety of opportunities to stay active, including access to fitness facilities, sports and recreational programs. 
• Physical Health Resources by YFS: https://www.yfswellness.ca/resources/ph-resources 
• Well-being for working at Home: https://yusapuy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2021-04-06-YusApuY-and-York-University-Joint-Training-Committee-Wellness-HS-WFH-FINAL-HSEWB-and-JTC.pdf 
• Mental health resources for varsity athletes: https://yorkulions.ca/sports/2018/12/13/mental-health-resources.aspx 

New year, or new at YorkU; in this episode, we’re listening to YU!   

You might be used to this part of the description telling you about our guest, but in this episode, the spotlight’s on YU. We flipped the mic at Orientation Week’s Well-Being Fest to hear how students plan to use York’s resources, care for themselves, and help build a positive campus community. 

From hitting the Tait gym to practicing simple acts of kindness like sharing a smile, York students had plenty of ideas for staying well and supporting one another. Tune in for quick, meaningful insights that might just inspire your own wellness goals for 2026; so tell me, how do you plan on taking care of YU this year? 

Resources:

Academic Advising  - Take advantage of the support offered to you by the academic advisors at York University. Advising helps you to make informed and thoughtful decisions about your academic pathway as you progress through your program. 

Athletics and Recreation - York Athletics and Recreation is on a mission to transform the people we touch by leading the creation of a proud engaged campus; dedicating ourselves to excellence; investing in leaders and championing physical activity, sport and wellness. 

Housing Services - Housing Services offers a variety of housing options to suit your needs and preferences from traditional-style to suite-style rooms. Be a part of a vibrant and engaged community where students can learn, laugh and grow in a safe and inclusive environment. 

Libraries - York University Library System is an essential resource for academic success, offering access to rich collections, workshops, inspirational and inclusive spaces and unique expertise to prepare students and researchers for success in a global environment. Our four libraries include Bronfman Business Library, Steacie Science and Engineering Library, Leslie Frost Library/Bibliothèque Leslie Frost and Scott Library which is also home to our Media Creation Lab, which provides equitable access to space, equipment and resources for students and researchers who are creating multimedia as part of their learning and research. 

Maps & Directions - For complete details about traveling to York University please refer to the Keele Campus section of the Maps & Directions page. 

Parking & Parking Rates  - For parking information please refer to the Parking Services site. 

Safety Support Services  - There are a number of different resources and services available to help keep our community safe and provide support to community members. Please refer to them on the Safety website. 

Student Accessibility Services - Student Accessibility Services provides academic accommodation and support to York students in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Policy on accessible education for students with disabilities and York University Senate Policy on Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities. 

Student Counselling, Health & Well-being  - Student Counselling, Health & Well-being offers a range of supports to students including Walk-in Counselling, Emergency Support, Short-term Counselling, Process Group Counselling and LGBTQ2S+ Support.  

Student Financial Services  - Learn important information about fees, financial aid, scholarships, awards & awards, the work/study program and more at Student Financial Services. 

Transportation Services - Transportation Services encourage commuting to the University as an alternative to single occupant vehicles, and supports community members in taking public transit, carpooling, biking, and walking. 

York International - York International is here to assist all international students, as well as domestic and international students who wish to study or work abroad. We look forward to welcoming you in person and answering your questions. Please make sure to visit us when you are on campus - we are here to help! And be sure to explore our website. 

York University Bookstore  - Buy all your essential textbooks, school supplies, YorkU clothing and more right on campus, at the York University Bookstore. 

YU-card - York University's official ID and debit card, the YU-card. 

YU Connect - YU Connect is York University's online system for getting involved and tracking your out-of-classroom experience in a revolutionary way. It

YU Prep - YU Prep is a series of online modules and workshops designed for incoming first year students. Developed and taught by York University instructors and student services professionals, YU Prep modules invite you to explore, study and engage with different subjects to support your successful transition to university. 

The countdown to mid-December is on and I could bet on what you’re busy with right now.  

Are you wrapping up your exams and paper submissions? Or unwrapping your PlayStations and video games that got dusty while you aced those exams? Or maybe you’re lingering on online shopping sites, waiting for the moment we finally start wrapping holiday gifts. Regardless of the task, we’re constantly plugged into the digital world.  

 In this episode of Well-being & YU, our host Susu B. sits down with Dr. Roxanne Cohen, a Postdoctoral Fellow and Senior Research Associate at the Young Lives Research Lab, Co-Director of the Rooted & Rising Leadership Program, and Co-Community Fellow at the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research. Dr. Cohen leads youth advisory committees shaping research on youth and planetary well-being in the digital age. Her work connects digital wellness, mental health, climate resilience and human rights, including co-developing a no-cost digital citizenship and well-being platform. 

Dr. Cohen brings a research-informed but deeply human perspective to what digital well-being truly means for students. Together, we explore how young people engage with technology, what “purposeful use” looks like, and how digital habits affect our mental and physical wellness. Importantly, Dr. Cohen highlights why students and youth should not be blamed for the role technology plays in our daily tasks, and why compassion, awareness, and small behaviour shifts matter more than guilt. 

Join us on this journey as we rethink the relationship between students and screens and learn how to take back control in a world that’s always “on”! 

Resources:

• Young Lives Research Lab 
• Focused on youth, education, and global good- leads research on digital impacts and youth well-being.  https://www.younglivesresearch.org/ 

• https://virtualwellbeinghub.ca/en/resources/student-health-at-york 

• Certificate in Digital Health  https://futurestudents.yorku.ca/program/certificates/digital-health 

• Student Counselling, Health and Well-being https://students.yorku.ca/counselling 
• Well-being Strategy: https://www.yorku.ca/well-being/strategy/ 
• Cyber-bullying and Online Harassment Guide and resources: https://infosec.yorku.ca/cyberbullying-and-online-harassment-resources/ 

• What Is Digital Wellness & Why It Matters for Your Mental Health https://www.healthcouncilcanada.ca/what-is-digital-wellness-why-it-matters-for-your-mental-health/

She, He, They, Ze; what’s the purpose of pronouns? Are they just grammatical structures, or something more? And is gender only tied to trans identities, or is it a part of us all?  

Feeling safe and grounded in your gender identity is not a luxury; it’s essential to mental and emotional well-being. In this episode, we explore what well-being can look like for trans and gender-diverse students; the challenges that may intersect yet differ from the rest of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, the pressure of being out, and the quiet resilience of those who aren’t. A sense of comfort in one’s identity is an essential part of wellness and safety, yet trans students often face stigma and discrimination that can deeply impact their mental and emotional health. 

This conversation works as a guide for trans students to be grounded in their wellness despite these challenges, while also offering cisgender listeners insight into how they can be better allies. Together, we reflect on the evolving nature of gender and sexuality, and why building a stable, healthy, and accepting connection with one’s identity is the true guide to wellness. 

We explore these topics as our host Susu B. sits with our guest, Brian Ginther (they/them) who is a non-binary queer interdisciplinary multi-media artist, designer, and writer, and a work-study student at York University’s Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change. Brian shares their perspective on identity, community, and self-acceptance and provides us with valuable tips and resources that truly invite trans folks on campus to exist loudly.  

Resources:

• Trans, Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay, Asexual at York: a student-run service for the queer and trans community at York University. we host a drop-in space, vibrant discord community, events and more! https://tbl.gay/ 

• SexGen York 

SexGen York is the University-wide committee responsible for advising and advocating around issues and concerns of sexual and gender diversity. 

• The Centre 

The Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support & Education honours the rich history that is PRIDE and highlights the need for dedicated services and supports to 2SLGBTQIA+ community members. 

• Student Counselling, Health & Well-being 

Access resources and support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community at York University; such as student name change form, gender neutral washroom map, tips & guides, clubs & networks, and more.  

• SCHW offers support groups for York’s 2SLGBTQIA+ student community, facilitated by counsellors who identify as part of the community. We create a safe space where stories can be shared, support given and self-care nurtured. 

https://students.yorku.ca/counselling/groups 

• Centre for Women and Trans People: a non-profit that provides recreational, cultural, political, and artistic programs for York students and those in the GTA.  

• Trans Lifeline: Canada (877)-330-6366 
• YFS Gender Affirming Health Care Plan: https://www.yfs.ca/healthplan    
•  
• Sherbourne Health Trans Care Program - https://sherbourne.on.ca/primary-and-family-health-care/2slgbtq-health/trans-health-care/  
• CMHA Gender Affirming Clinic: https://cmha-yr.on.ca/get-support/gender-affirming-health-clinic-16/  

Career Resources: Career Resources  

• Canada’s Best Diversity Employers 2024: Canada's Best Diversity Employers recognizes employers across Canada that have exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs. This competition recognizes successful diversity initiatives in a variety of areas, including programs for LGBT employees.  
• Canada's LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce: CGLCC supports LGBT+ businesses, entrepreneurs, students and allies, and helps Canada’s corporate world connect with the LGBT+ business community. It is a leader in supplier diversity and the certifying body in Canada for LGBT+ businesses.  
• Ontario LGBTQ2+ Chamber of Commerce: OGLCC is a federally chartered, non-profit organization with the goal to create an environment in which LGBTQ businesses and professionals can thrive through the sharing of knowledge and resources.  
• Pride at Work: Pride at Work Canada empowers employers to build workplaces that celebrate all employees regardless of gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation. They help create safer, more inclusive workspaces that realize the full potential of all employees and bring down barriers to employment.  
• Emerge LGBTQ Mentorship Program: Emerge LGBTQ Mentorship program is designed specifically for LGBTQ Convention Refugees and Permanent Residents residing in Canada for less than 5 years.  
• Start Proud: Start Proud facilitates the professional development of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+) students as they transition from school to career in order to build a national network within the LGBTQ+ community.  
• exeQutive: exeQutive is a forum for Toronto/GTA-based lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ) leaders — current and aspiring professionals, executives and entrepreneurs.   exeQutive connects you to the pink network – a diverse group of exceptional leaders in the LGBTQ community - and supports you with your professional growth & personal journey  
• JobBoard.lgbt: JobBoard.lgbt is a specialized online employment network that highlights employers who are dedicated to providing unique, interesting, and fulfilling experiences to our growing network of LGBT job seekers.  
• EngiQueers Canada: EngiQueers Canada is a nationwide non-profit organization that represents over 30 similar member groups at engineering schools across the country. 

Not all chills come from cold autumn nights amid the eerie Halloween season. Sometimes it’s the mystery of the unknown. But what if the unknown wasn’t something to fear, but something that could bring peace, meaning, and connection? 

This episode, we’re exploring spiritual well-being; a kind of well-being that’s definitely not spoken about enough, almost like those who avoid mentioning ghosts just in case it one appears. Spiritual well-being can feel just as intangible; something you sense but can’t always explain. It’s woven into our values, our sense of purpose, and even the quiet moments when we look for meaning beyond ourselves. But how do we define it? What shapes it? Is it the same as religiosity, or do they intersect? Does culture play a role? So many questions, and we’re here to unravel the mysterious aura of spiritual well-being. 

In this Halloween season special episode, our host Susu B. sits down with Dr. Cindel White, Assistant Professor in Social and Personality Psychology at York University and leader of the Culture and Belief Lab. Together, they dive into the psychology of religion and spirituality, the cultural roots of belief, and how embracing curiosity about the unknown can help us feel more grounded, all from a researcher’s perspective. 

By the end of this episode, we hope you’ll see that you put the meaning into spirituality and that it has no limits, just like the sky you can sit under, pondering, “What are we?” which, in its own way, is practising spiritual wellness. 

Resources:

• https://www.yorku.ca/scld/student-engagement/club-policies-and-guidelines/multi-faith-space/ 
• Faith Based organisations: https://yuconnect.yorku.ca/club_signup?category_tags=6551649&group_type= 
• https://www.yfswellness.ca/mental-health 

Wellness is a journey.  It is critical to the success of a university student. In this impactful conversation, we will explore different pathways to health and wellness, both within and outside of the York University community. 

Have you faced shame, anxiety or stigma, while trying to find your pathway to health and wellness? Have you faced challenges finding the right mental health professional that fits your needs? Are you interested in learning about self-care practices that can improve your mental health and Well-being?  

Listen: This conversation is for you. 

In this episode, host Clifton A. Grant interviews, York university recent graduate, Mercedes. Mercedes passionately discusses her lifelong mental health journey along the unpaved pathways that was filled with conflicting messages and turbulence experiences in the mental health profession. Mercedes also informs and enlightens our listeners on the importance of educating ourselves on the pathway towards self-care and compassion. 

We sat down and had an enlightening conversation on why community is also very important to your overall emotional, psychological and physical Well-being and how building a supportive community can impact student success.   

Resources:

• Well-being resources https://www.yorku.ca/well-being/resources/students/ 
•  https://www.yorku.ca/well-being/finding-help/
• Mental Health and Crisis Support- https://students.yorku.ca/counselling/health-education/resources/mental-health-crisis-support 
• SCLD  https://www.yorku.ca/scld/ 
• York International https://yorkinternational.yorku.ca/ 
• Coffee breaks to get out and connected 
• YFS https://www.yfs.ca/ 
• Wellness Center 
• York Recreation https://reconline.yorkulions.ca/ 
• Free fitness classes online 
• Bootcamps 
• Meditations 
• SCHW https://counselling.students.yorku.ca/ 
• ACMAPS - https://acmaps.info.yorku.ca 

What do you think of when you think of Indigenous well-being? If your mind jumps straight to history or trauma, this episode will challenge and expand that perspective. 

As we approach Orange Shirt Day, conversations about truth and reconciliation often centre harm and hardship, and while acknowledging those truths is necessary for healing, this episode invites a deeper reflection. What does Indigenous well-being look like beyond survival?  

In this episode, host Susu B. sits down with Rainingbird Daniels, a proud Plains Cree, Sioux, and Dakota student from Sturgeon Lake First Nation located on Treaty 6 territory also known as Saskatchewan. Now in her fourth year of Indigenous Studies at York, Rainingbird is the President of the Indigenous Students Association, a work-study student at the Centre for Indigenous Languages and Knowledges, and an active student leader on campus. 

Together, they unpack what well-being can look like from an Indigenous lens: community, advocacy, culture, and reclaiming joy. Rainingbird shares what it means to hold space in student leadership and everyday life and reflects on the importance of community connection, and cultural pride. They also explore how simple actions, like wearing an orange pin on Orange Shirt Day, support the community in achieving collective healing. 

Episode Resources:

Indigenous Alumni Network 

• York Indigenous Alumni Network  

Indigenous Council 

• IC Member List 
• Terms-of-Reference-IC-APPROVED JAN 2017 

Indigenous Programs of Study 

• Indigenous Studies at York 
• Wüléelham 

Student Groups 

• Indigenous Students Association at York 
• Osgoode Indigenous Students Association 

Indigenous Friends 

• Indigenous Friends 

Services 

• Career Centre 
• Atkinson Centre for Mature and Part-time Students 
• Counselling & Disability Services 
• Centre for Human Rights 
• York University Cooperative Day Care 
• Lee Wiggins Day Care (Part-time option) 

The month of April represents an exciting transition for university students, that is as it marks the end of a school year and the beginning of a new one. For many students, the transition could be greater than beginning a new school year, and instead, they begin a new chapter as they graduate and explore their career options. 

Just like the yin and yang, a transition could be both exciting and distressing. As students graduate and ask themselves the famous question of “now what?” we realised it would be a great opportunity to introduce the Career Centre at York University and support those students in making their emotions during the transition lean more towards the exciting part of the binary.  

In this episode our host Susu B. had an amazing time speaking with Jasmine Moron. Jasmine reflected on different misconceptions about career building, the difference between a career and job, who you can reach out to for help and when you should do it. This episode has truly impacted my perception of a career and the career centre in general; now I know they do far beyond telling you to get a job!

Resources

• Faculty of Graduate Studies Individualised Development Plan 
• Division of Advancement - Alumni and Friends https://www.yorku.ca/alumniandfriends/benefit/career-support/ 
• Level- Up series - The Level Up series invites alumni leaders to help new grads navigate life and work after getting their degree, covering subjects like professional networking, career development, and life skills. https://www.yorku.ca/alumniandfriends/level-up-series/ 
• York U Alumni Perks - https://yorku.alumni-perks.com/ 
• The Career Centre- Lounge, counselling, job fairs, job search advising, career peer educators. 
• CareerJoy - Alumni who mention they are York graduates can get discounts of up to 15% on all CareerJoy career coaching services. 
• Career Cycles - Operated by a former York University Career Centre Career Counsellor, Career Cycles offers career counselling and job search programs and services, including resumé and interview support. 

Ability is a spectrum, yet a spectrum still has two ends. So, in order to create a universal design inclusive for all, we should first understand the needs of everyone in the “all.”   

How should I communicate with a person with a disability? Is that even how I should refer to them, “person with a disability” or is that not inclusive? How about viewing disability as a spectrum instead of a binary, would that help or trouble a person with a disability in accessing accommodations? Who can even access accommodations, I mean I don’t have an official paper proving that I need it, can I still get support? If you previously asked one of these questions or if you cannot find answers as you read through them, then this episode is for you. 

In this episode, our host Susu B. had the pleasure of having Ray Peart, the Autism Program Coordinator at York University as the guest on an episode that aims to digest different aspects of ability. Ray’s expertise in conversations around UDL, also known as Universal Design Learning, allowed him to propose social, lingual and academic perspectives on approaching ability.

Resources

York University's CHREI Inclusion Week 2025

University Services

• Assistive Technology Lab 
• Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) 
• Student Accessibility Services (SAS) 
• Accessibility, Well-Bring and Counselling (AWC) Centre at Glendon 
• Disability Services App 
• Employee Well-being Office (for staff and faculty)  
• Library Accessibility Services 
• Interpreting and Notetaking (SAS) 
• Strengthening Transitions for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders Program 
• Campus Services and Business Operations (CSBO) – CSBO is responsible overall for planning, development, expansion, alteration, maintenance, and operation of all physical facilities (buildings, grounds and plant equipment) for the University. 

Student Groups & Clubs providing services 

• Able York 
• Active Minds @ York University 
• YFS AccessCentre  
• Critical Disability Studies Student Association 
• Holland Bloorview (HBY) 
• ASL @ York 
• Creative Arts Therapy Association at York University 
• Devices 4 Disabilities 
• Jack.org at York 
• Reach out at York (RO) 
• Team Unbreakable at York University 
• World Parkinson’s Program (WPP) 

Inclusion Lens: Event Management Tool 

• Inclusion Lens - an Event Management Tool designed to assist York University in engaging all peoples in events! 

The world could be unkind sometimes; and as we approach Black History Month, we reflect on the historical resistance to behaviours that could be least classified as unkind. The guest in our episode today, however, approaches adversity with his faith that “there is power in kindness.”  

In this episode, our host Susu B. conversed with the Black identifying York University student, speaker of “kindness” tour and founder of “Brothers-4-Brothers" mentorship program and “Communities Care” non-profit organisation, Nebiyou Timotewos. Nebiyou’s story, although full of challenges as he navigates intense circumstances including war, deaths and unfairness, highlights our abilities to not only rise from the ashes but to also help others in doing the same, all through kindness.

The fight-or-flight response for survival, can indeed be replaced with the kindness response for success. 

More on Nebiyou and his organizations:

• Nebiyou's Website
• Linktree
• Brothers-4-Brothers
• Communities Care

Support for Students at YorkU:

• Black Excellence at YorkU
• Student Community and Leadership Development (SCLD)
• Student Financial Services (SFS)
• Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion (CHREI) 
• Student Counselling, Health and Well-being (SCHW)
• Office of Student Community Relations (OSCR)

Black Student Associations and Clubs at YorkU:

• York United Black Students (YUBSA)  
• African Students Association 
• Black Students in Psychology 
• Black Women Bridging Borders 
• Nigerian Students’ Association 
• Black Future Lawyers York University