With drink spiking an ever-pervasive concern, how can we make nightlife safer for everyone? Thanks to UBC researchers, there’s now a stir stick that anyone can use to detect drugs like GHB and ketamine in their drinks. In this episode, Carol and Jeevan hear all about this innovative new tool — Spikeless — from Dr. Johan Foster, UBC Chemical and Biological Engineering Associate Professor, and Sasha Santos, an educator with UBC’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office. Listen to this compr...
Jul 11, 2025•25 min•Ep. 32
What do a Star Wars “making of” documentary, a UBC Film Society membership, and late nights at the Norm Theatre have in common? For UBC alum Greg Ng (BA’05), they sparked a passion for film editing that’s turned into a fascinating career — one that’s enabled him to work on some of the biggest Hollywood horror films of recent years. In this episode, Carol and Jeevan sit down with the award-winning film editor to trace his journey into the industry. From his work on chilling features like Longlegs...
Jun 09, 2025•29 min•Ep. 31
More than 15,000 satellites are currently in orbit around our planet, with this number growing every year. For UBC’s Dr. Aaron Boley, this raises some red flags about the problem of space junk. An expert in the field of space sustainability, Boley chats with Carol and Jeevan about the practical risks we face from space junk as well as the politics of space. He also dispels the myths justifying the practice of abandoning rocket components and other objects in space — and considers all that we mig...
May 05, 2025•38 min•Ep. 30
There’s been a lot of talk in the media about diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, but what does DEI actually mean? Why do so many people seem to misunderstand its intent? In recent years, many companies moved quickly to implement DEI programs that addressed inequities in recruitment and hiring practices, mentorship, and other opportunities. But just as quickly, backlash arose to these policies. In this episode, Carol and Jeevan speak to Dr. Camellia Bryan, an assistant professor at the...
Apr 07, 2025•23 min•Ep. 29
For people living in remote locations and requiring urgent ultrasounds, the best option at the moment is to travel to a major city for the diagnostic test. But a UBC researcher is looking to change that. In this episode, Carol and Jeevan speak to David Black (BASc’21), a PhD candidate in electrical and computer engineering at UBC about his groundbreaking work on remote ultrasound imaging. Learn how he’s tapping into the power of mixed reality — which enables interactions between physical and dig...
Mar 10, 2025•23 min•Ep. 28
What’s the relationship between love and happiness? The answer is not as simple as you might think. In this episode, Carol and Jeevan talk to UBC alum Carrie Jenkins, a writer and professor of philosophy at UBC, about her research to understand love in all its forms. They discuss the limitations of romantic love, the stigma of singlehood, the realities of non-monogamy, and the social constructs that connect them all. LINKS Contact Carol Contact Jeevan From Here Forward Carrie Jenkins' website Ca...
Feb 07, 2025•29 min•Ep. 27
To kick off an exciting new year of From Here Forward , Carol and Jeevan get to know Bill Nikolai (BA’80, MEd’86, MLIS’08), a UBC alum who doesn’t back down from much… including the idea of gliding off mountain peaks. Hear about what drives his paragliding passion, and find out what it takes to conquer fears and embrace the opportunities that arise in your life. LINKS ● Contact Carol on Bluesky ● Contact Jeevan on X ● From Here Forward ● Watch Bill’s documentary ● Bill's IMDb ● Bill’s Instagram ...
Jan 13, 2025•29 min•Ep. 26
In this special year-in-review episode, Carol and Jeevan are joined by their producer Kylé to share some of their favourite From Here Forward moments from 2024. Find out which conversations inspired them, changed their perspectives, and even drove them to change their decision-making. Enjoy this fun throwback to the year that was. FEATURED EPISODES ● Episode 16: Finding Hope in Climate Activism with Abul Bashar ● Episode 12: Risky Genes: Uncovering the Genetic Basis of Breast and Ovarian Cancers...
Dec 03, 2024•30 min•Ep. 25
Did you know that UBC has a glassblower on staff? In this episode, get to know Brian Ditchburn, the scientific glassblower for UBC’s Chemistry Department. Find out what his days in the glass shop look like and why he feels that his job is the best one on campus. Brian shares some of his philosophy about the impermanence of glass and how he sometimes helps students relieve stress with a little destructive therapy. LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE Glassblowing Services at UBC...
Nov 26, 2024•23 min•Ep. 24
The 2020 US presidential election and the unprecedented events that followed have set the stage for a tumultuous contest in 2024. In this episode, hosts Carol and Jeevan talk to Dr. Paul J. Quirk, professor and Phil Lind Chair in US Politics and Representation in UBC's Department of Political Science, about the upcoming election and what its outcome could mean for democracy in the US. They delve into the back story of the Electoral College, discuss possible scenarios for election night and the w...
Oct 22, 2024•27 min•Ep. 23
It’s the start of a new academic year and UBC’s student athletes are back in action. It’s an exciting time, but for some it can be challenging to balance the pressures of being both a student and a high-performance athlete. In this episode, hosts Carol and Jeevan talk to Dr. Whitney Sedgwick, a licensed psychologist and mental performance/mental health lead for UBC Athletics, and Sam Pritchard, the senior manager of sport science and sport medicine at UBC Athletics, about the UBC Thunderbirds Me...
Sep 10, 2024•31 min•Ep. 22
In this special Pride episode, hosts Carol and Jeevan talk to Dr. Amin Ghaziani, a professor of sociology and Canada Research Chair in Urban Sexualities at UBC, about his new book Long Live Queer Nightlife: How the Closing of Gay Bars Sparked a Revolution . They speak about the evolution of queer nightlife, the nuances of intersectional belonging, and the importance of intentional allyship. Link List UBC Profile: Amin Ghaziani Amin Ghaziani: Website / Linktree Amin’s Social Media: Instagram / X ...
Aug 12, 2024•32 min•Ep. 21
In this episode, Carol and Jeevan talk to UBC alum and lawyer Melanie Ash (LLB’96) about her path into the legal profession and her work to support a framework of racial justice and equity for New York City’s government. They also discuss some of the differences in the legal and social justice landscape between Canada and the United States. Links Melanie Ash: LinkedIn Twitter/X: Carol / Jeevan Check out our full archive of episodes here...
Jul 15, 2024•36 min•Ep. 20
When UBC acquired a copy of Shakespeare’s First Folio in 2021, it was only the first step in an initiative to digitize and improve access to this historic text. In this episode, hosts Carol and Jeevan speak to Dr. Patrick Parra Pennefather, Associate Professor at UBC Theatre and Film in the Faculty of Arts, about why this acquisition was so important to the university and how emerging technologies including touch tables, mixed reality, and generative AI are enhancing users’ interactions with the...
Jun 18, 2024•43 min•Ep. 19
In this episode, Carol and Jeevan speak with Jordyn Rice and Sarah Heath from UBC's Aging, Mobility, and Cognitive Health Lab about the impacts of exercise in preventing cognitive and mobility decline. They discuss common barriers to exercise, the value of health coaching, and emphasize the point that even a little bit of physical activity is better than nothing. They also offer an opportunity for listeners to get involved in a study. Links from the episode: Aging, Mobility, and Cognitive Health...
May 21, 2024•29 min•Ep. 18
In this episode, hosts Carol and Jeevan speak to UBC alum Dax Dasilva (BA’23), CEO of the commerce company Lightspeed and the founder of the environmental alliance Age of Union . Dasilva shares his entrepreneurial origin story, discusses his early acts of environmental activism, and explains why he thinks it’s critical for the next generation to get outside and fall in love with nature. He also emphasizes the impact that bold storytelling and filmmaking can have on conservation. This episode is ...
Apr 09, 2024•29 min•Ep. 17
When UBC economics student Abul Bashar Rahman was in ninth grade, he learned that one-third of his country, Bangladesh, would be underwater by 2050 as a result of climate change. This realization set him on a path towards climate action that took him as a UBC delegate to COP27 in Egypt in 2022 and inspired him to cycle across Bangladesh to see the effects of climate change first-hand and hear the stories of some of the people most affected by it. In this episode, Carol and Jeevan speak to Bashar...
Mar 11, 2024•33 min•Ep. 16
Have you ever found love on a dating app? In this special Valentine’s Day episode, hosts Carol and Jeevan connect with UBC student and entrepreneur Connor Rose, who co-founded an app IRLY that offers a unique Gen Z spin on making a match. They discuss the app’s early days in the e@UBC program , share the Cameron Dallas connection, and attempt to uncover what Gen Z is looking for in a partner.
Feb 14, 2024•29 min•Ep. 15
Join hosts Carol and Jeevan in conversation with UBC pharmacy alum Avi Gill (BSc’12, BPSc’16), one of the owners behind Farming Karma , a “farm to can” soda-making company based in the Okanagan. Discover the brand's evolution from a family farm to a thriving enterprise that produces award-winning fruit sodas, and hear insights from Gill as he reflects on his “wild journey” to becoming an entrepreneur.
Jan 16, 2024•21 min•Ep. 14
Join Carol and Jeevan as they sip their way through today’s episode on BC wine. Hear how wine makers in the province are navigating the impacts of climate change, and the ways in which UBC research is helping to boost their resilience and adaptation during these challenging times. Plus, learn about the alumni UBC Wine Club and its December 2023 offer featuring Moon Curser Vineyards, and find out how you can support fellow alumni winemakers while enjoying exceptional Okanagan wines as a member of...
Dec 04, 2023•20 min•Ep. 13
Join Carol and Jeevan as they explore advances in cancer detection and prevention with UBC alum Dr. Steven Narod (BSc’75, MD’79), a leading expert in breast and ovarian cancer genetics research. Dr. Narod was among a team of researchers in the 1990s who made the groundbreaking discovery of BRCA1 and BRCA2 — two genes which, in mutated form, are closely linked to breast and ovarian cancers. Learn more about Dr. Narod’s research over the past three decades, including how he and his team have made ...
Nov 08, 2023•19 min•Ep. 12
Join Carol, Rumneek, and new co-host Jeevan Sangha as they dive deep into the world of wildfires with award-winning UBC researcher, Dr. Lori Daniels (MSc’94). From the phenomenon of “zombie fires” to the fascinating paradox of using fire to suppress fire, Dr. Daniels explains what’s behind BC’s increasingly severe wildfires, how climate change is adding fuel to the fire, and what UBC researchers are doing, in close collaboration with Indigenous communities, to increase the resiliency of BC’s for...
Oct 10, 2023•41 min•Ep. 11
Discover the fascinating changes coming to UBC's campuses — from a deepening commitment to Indigenization to groundbreaking sustainability initiatives — with Ben Johnson, Director of Campus Planning for UBC Okanagan, and Michael White, Associate Vice-President of Campus + Community Planning and the university’s chief planner. Whether you're a passionate planner or simply curious about the future of UBC, this episode reveals what it takes to build world-class campuses.
Sep 08, 2023•31 min•Ep. 10
Carol and Rumneek chat with UBC alum and the CBC’s Justin McElroy (BA’11) on his path to journalism, the changing nature of the industry, and his love of niche topics (and charts!) that have helped him connect with audiences in creative and captivating ways.
Aug 12, 2023•33 min•Ep. 9
Carol and Rumneek speak with Dr. Gail Murphy, Vice-President of Research & Innovation, about UBC’s evolution into a world-class research powerhouse over the past quarter century. Dr. Murphy highlights several recent projects that reflect UBC’s innovative and collaborative approach to research, and shares her top tips for thriving in both leadership and researcher roles.
Jun 05, 2023•17 min•Ep. 8
Hear from UBC historians Herbert Rosengarten and Sheldon Goldfarb as they share their extensive knowledge of UBC’s storied past – including entertaining and obscure tales that might surprise you.
Apr 11, 2023•31 min•Ep. 7
UBC alum and digital activist Daniella Barreto (MSc’17) joins From Here Forward to discuss her new podcast with Amnesty International Canada — Rights Back At You — which explores anti-Black racism, policing, and surveillance in Canada. A public health graduate turned podcaster, Barreto is “passing the mic” to people working towards a more equitable future — and revealing the power of audio storytelling in the process.
Feb 15, 2023•27 min•Ep. 6
Jan 17, 2023•37 min•Ep. 5
Nov 24, 2022•20 min•Ep. 4
Just before his departure, Professor Santa J. Ono spoke with Carol and Rumneek about his time at UBC, including its special qualities, what he learned during his presidency, what he’ll miss, and his advice for the university moving forward.
Oct 19, 2022•23 min•Ep. 3
