YXE Underground

Michael McLachlan vividly remembers the moment he made the conscious decision to disconnect his mind and his body during his battle against cancer.

It was two in the morning. He was on all fours on his hospital bed overlooking the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon. An aggressive form of cancer had invaded McLachlan’s central nervous system and formed a tumor at the base of his spine.

“I had a conversation with myself, which was rather simple,” explained McLachlan. “My mind couldn’t take what was happening. So I made the separation between my body and my mind because I knew my body would be strong enough to take whatever it had to take, but upstairs I couldn’t do it. So I made a disconnect and then I couldn’t reconnect afterwards.”

McLachlan was diagnosed on September 16th, 2016, with Non-Hodgkin’s Burkitt Lymphoma, an extremely aggressive form of cancer. The next day, he had surgery to remove the tumor on his spine.

His battle left him cancer free but traumatized. Physically, McLachlan was fatigued and wouldn’t let anyone touch his back. Mentally, he was shattered and struggled to find peace with what had just happened.

Luckily for McLachlan, Colleen McBride was there to help put the pieces back together.

McBride is a Registered Social Worker who first met McLachlan while working at the Saskatoon Cancer Centre. She specialized in trauma therapy and was asked to help McLachlan with his physical and mental recovery.

McLachlan calls what McBride did with him, “magic.”

This episode is co-hosted by cancer survivor, activist and author, Amy Smith-Morris. Please subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast app. You can also stream episodes on Spotify or the website. Don't forget to leave a review!

Thank you to Colleen, Michael and Amy for sharing their stories with listeners.

• Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
• Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
• Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
• Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

Say the word CANCER and each of you will have something different come to mind. It might involve a loved one who had cancer or perhaps is going through treatments right now.

When it comes to cancer care, there are gaps in the system, but there are also people in Saskatoon working hard to fill in those gaps. Part One of Episode 12 introduces you to three of these individuals.

Kim Swetecki is a cancer survivor and co-hosts a support group called Chai and Chat. Jennifer Fisher is a registered dietitian at the Saskatoon Cancer Centre and Nora Yeates is the CEO of the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan.. They share their stories and insights with Eric and special co-host, Amy Smith Morris.

Amy is a cancer survivor, advocate and author who shares her unique insights throughout the episode.

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favourite podcast app.

You can also stream episodes on Spotify or the website.

Thank you for listening and don't forget to leave a review!

• Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
• Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
• Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
• Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

When Carrie Hart got the call that her son Lucas was accepted into the Little Tots program, she didn’t know what to do.

“I remember that day. I was with my friend at The Forestry Farm. I was in the car and I think I started crying and then I probably did laps in my car because I was so excited. It was an instant sense of relief.”

Relief because her son was about to get the help he needed to overcome some pretty big challenges.

Lucas was diagnosed with autism shortly after turning two. Hart knew he needed a type of therapy that would allow him to catch up on the speech and social skills he was struggling to develop.

She wanted her son in the Little Tots program because of its sterling reputation.

Little Tots is an early intensive intervention program for children between 18 and 48 months. It is run by Autism Services of Saskatoon and provides one-on-one therapy for autistic children. It is also the only program of its kind in Saskatchewan.

This episode explores the Little Tots program through Lucas. Eric interviews Carrie and Desirae Boutin. She is the interim director of Little Tots.

It takes a lot of people pulling in the same direction to help an autistic child. Carrie and Desirae are wonderful examples of this.

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did creating it. Thank you for listening and subscribing to the podcast.

Cheers...Eric

• Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
• Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
• Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
• Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

A veterinarian feeling overworked due to a difficult caseload. A student feeling overwhelmed with exams. A family feeling crushed because of the loss of their pet. All are scenarios Erin Wasson confronts at the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine.

Wasson is a social worker at the WCVM. She provides counselling services to students, faculty and staff, as well as clients who are using the College’s small and animal clinics.

It’s an uncommon position within the veterinary and animal science world, but an important one as

“I think a lot of veterinarians and animal protection officers will tell you that they don’t have a lot of people that they can talk about their day with that wants to hear about their day,” Wasson explains in the episode.

Wasson discusses the mental health challenges veterinarians encounter in their jobs, how she is able to balance personal and professional life, and why she finds her work so fulfilling.

You will also hear from Saskatoon veterinarian, Dr. Sarah Bater. She shares some of the challenges that come with the job and why Erin's role at the Vet College is so important.

Thank you for listening and subscribing to the podcast and don't forget to leave a review!

• Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
• Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
• Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
• Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

“My name is Jessica Fisher and I am a cisgender, queer woman who is both Metis and a settler.” That is how Jessica Fisher introduces herself to elementary and high school students in Saskatoon and around the province.

Fisher works with OUTSaskatoon, bringing gender and sexual diversity education to students, teachers and administrators. She does this by explaining the building blocks of identity, what terms like bisexual and transsexual mean, and highlighting the negative impacts of homophobia.

“The purpose of my presentation is to help folks understand that their language and their actions have consequences. That can be positive, where people feel comfortable to say and be who they are, or they can be negative consequences -- that is, when people are afraid to exist in the world as they are.”

I feel very lucky to have met Jessica. She taught me a lot during our conversation and I know you will connect with her engaging and caring nature.

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast, give it a rating, and feel free to share with all your friends!

Cheers...

Eric

• Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
• Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
• Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
• Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

Saskatoon's EcoQuest Program is a grade eight class that uses nature in place of a traditional classroom. This unique outdoor education program is full of incredible students who are learning to see the world around them in new ways.

In Part Two of Episode Eight, Eric spends a very cold December day exploring Saskatoon with the 28 students that make up the EcoQuest class. The students walk more than 15 kilometres, from The Lighthouse Shelter and Saskatoon Farmer's Market, to the Meewasin Valley river trails, learning what services make up a healthy community. They also share what skills they have learned in the program and how it's allowing them to grow into future leaders in our community.

These students are hard working, insightful and a lot of fun to be around. They also have two fantastic teachers that put them in situations to succeed and learn on their own.

Subscribe and download this episode and take an entertaining trek through Saskatoon with this year's EcoQuest class.

• Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
• Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
• Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
• Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

When you think of a typical grade 8 classroom, you probably envision a space filled with rows of desks and a blackboard at the front of the room. Saskatoon's EcoQuest class is definitely not your typical classroom.

EcoQuest brings 28 grade 8 students together from across the city and allows them to learn in the natural world. It's an outdoor experiential program that not only encourages students to embrace the natural world, but gives them the opportunity to grow as individuals and especially as leaders.

In part one of Episode Eight, Eric speaks with Tyler Rittinger, who has been teaching the EcoQuest program for the past eight years. He also meets some of the students who are embracing this unique opportunity. Part two will follow the students as they weave their way through Saskatoon working on an assignment. It will drop on January 17th.

Thank you for listening and remember to subscribe to YXE Underground on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your favourite podcasts.

• Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
• Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
• Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
• Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

Scott Dicks is a very busy man. The Saskatoon chef has worked in some of the finest restaurants in Western Canada and learned from award winning chefs. Now, Chef Scotty is giving back to Saskatoon's food scene by consulting with local businesses like Collective Coffee and 9 Mile Brewery, teaching cooking classes at The Local Kitchen, and even cooking for people in their homes. Scotty believes that food and cooking should bring people together and he's spreading his joy and passion throughout Saskatoon one meal at a time.

In Episode Seven of YXE Underground, Scott sits down with Eric to explain how he ended up in Saskatoon, why he loves the growing food scene in our city and how he's become a better chef thanks to cooking for people in their homes. Scott also explains why now is the perfect time for him to get back into Saskatoon's restaurant scene.

• Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
• Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
• Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
• Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

I take a lot of pride in being the most enthusiastic person in a room. But when I meet Erin McCormick for the first time in her riding arena, I quickly realize that I don’t hold a candle next to her.

Erin owns Therapeutic Equilibrium Riding. Every week, she teaches 110 children and adults with varying degrees of physical and cognitive challenges therapeutic horseback riding.

In this episode, Erin explains the incredible benefits of horseback riding therapy and where her passion comes from. She also talks about the sacrifices she has made as a woman entrepreneur and what she loves most about horses.

After hearing our conversation, you'll probably be left with one question...

"Why aren't we all riding horses?"

Thanks for listening...

Eric

• Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
• Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
• Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
• Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

Kenton Lysak is a Senior Interpreter for Saskatoon's Meewasin Valley Authority and a lover of all things nature. All Kenton wants to do is teach you about the Meewasin Valley's natural beauty, and he will do it in a way that will inspire to go out and explore! He is also a brand new father.

In this episode of YXE Underground, Kenton takes host Eric Anderson to Peggy McKercher Conservation Area and describes how Saskatoon is walking a tightrope between urban growth and protecting sensitive ecosystems. Kenton also explains where his love of the natural world came from and how his new son Benjamin has changed his career for the better.

• Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
• Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
• Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
• Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis