Cities are being asked to solve some of society’s biggest crises with limited resources and shrinking political authority. As pressure continues to mount on municipal governments, so do questions about who really shapes the communities we live in. Jeff Gray, Queen’s Park reporter for the Globe and Mail , offers an inside look at the machinery of local democracy, and breaks down what it will take to alleviate the strain it's under. Gray spoke at The Walrus Talks A New City in Toronto on April 26,...
May 21, 2026•9 min•Season 6Ep. 16
Wildfires expose how responsibility for public safety is shared—and sometimes fragmented—across systems that are not always designed to work together. Chief Ken McMullen, president of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, makes the case for stronger coordination as fires increasingly move from remote landscapes into the communities where people live. Chief McMullen spoke at The Walrus Talks Wildfires in Saskatoon on April 1, 2026. To register for upcoming events happening online or in a city ...
May 07, 2026•10 min•Season 6Ep. 15
Discussions around public safety tend to focus on questions of order and enforcement. In practice, however, public safety is also informed by our capacity to hold space for people in crisis instead of pushing them through it. Suzanne Obiorah, chief executive officer of Somerset West Community Health Centre, reflects on a growing fracture in Canada’s response to addiction and underscores the importance of building holistic support systems as provinces turn toward new models of care. Obiorah spoke...
Apr 23, 2026•11 min•Season 6Ep. 14
For older adults, belonging is dependent on dignity, choice, and the ability to “age in the right place.” André Picard is a health columnist at the Globe and Mail and the author of the bestselling book Neglected No More: The Urgent Need to Improve the Lives of Canada’s Elders . This special episode of The Conversation Piece features content from his presentation at The Walrus Talks at Home: Aging and Belonging, supported by The Belonging Forum, an initiative of the Samuel Centre for Social Conne...
Apr 09, 2026•8 min•Season 6Ep. 13
First Nations elders play a vital role in their communities. Forcing them to relocate in the pursuit of adequate health care doesn’t just undermine their dignity—it severs key familial and cultural connections. Dr. Nel Wieman is the chief medical officer for the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia. This special episode of The Conversation Piece features content from her presentation at The Walrus Talks at Home: Aging and Belonging, supported by The Belonging Forum, an initiative o...
Apr 02, 2026•9 min•Season 6Ep. 12
Rural communities thrive when older adults are invited to remain visible within them. Dr. Olive Bryanton is a researcher, advocate for older people, and lifelong learner who completed her PhD at the age of eighty-two. This special episode of The Conversation Piece features content from her presentation at The Walrus Talks at Home: Aging and Belonging, supported by The Belonging Forum, an initiative of the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness. Dr. Bryanton spoke at The Walrus Talks at Home: Agi...
Mar 26, 2026•11 min•Season 6Ep. 11
How can we reframe aging as a lifelong process grounded in joy, rather than a fixed state of decline? Dr. Rose Joudi is the senior adviser for gender equity, diversity, and inclusion at HelpAge Canada. This special episode of The Conversation Piece features content from her presentation at The Walrus Talks at Home: Aging and Belonging, supported by The Belonging Forum, an initiative of the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness. Dr. Joudi spoke at The Walrus Talks at Home: Aging and Belonging on...
Mar 19, 2026•10 min•Season 6Ep. 10
Social media is built around rewards—a digital feedback loop of likes, shares, and comments. For teenagers, whose brains are still developing, the risks associated with those rewards may not be immediately apparent. Dr. Emma Duerden, Canada Research Chair in Neuroscience and Learning Disorders at Western University, explains how the adolescent brain’s reward system develops earlier than its cognitive control centre—and what that means for how young people experience both online and offline space...
Mar 06, 2026•8 min•Season 6Ep. 9
As the 2026 Winter Olympics continue and the Paralympics approach, a familiar narrative emerges, one of triumph through determination. But resilience isn’t forged by determination alone—it is shaped and sustained by the people around us. Three-time Paralympic gold medalist Jeff Adams reflects on a wheelchair racing event where a chorus of support gave him the strength he needed to persevere through adversity, reminding us that none of us get to our finish lines alone. Adams spoke at The Walrus T...
Feb 19, 2026•6 min•Season 6Ep. 8
We’re often told that improving our digital skills will help keep us safe online. Yet managing the risks we face has less to do with our own know-how than with the way technology is designed. Philosopher and public policy analyst Dr. Daniel Munro stresses the importance of reexamining digital infrastructures and challenging tech makers to create a safer, fairer digital world by confronting harmful content and algorithmic bias. Dr. Munro spoke at The Walrus Talks Digital Skills in Toronto on June...
Feb 05, 2026•9 min•Season 6Ep. 7
Food insecurity among Inuit in Canada has been called one of the longest-lasting public health emergencies in Canadian history. It’s a crisis rooted in colonial policy—and one that continues to shape who has access to food, income, and self-determination in Nunavut. Rachel Blais—former executive director of Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre—explains why the right to culturally appropriate and sustainably harvested food is critical to achieving true and lasting food security in the North. Blais s...
Jan 22, 2026•8 min•Season 6Ep. 6
Canada is racing to build the infrastructure that will shape its economic and political future. But moving faster means little unless the systems guiding that development are strong enough to be trusted. Independent lawyer and consultant Jesse McCormick argues that making any meaningful progress with Canada’s major projects will require building trust with First Nations by prioritizing their consent and establishing regulatory systems that put First Nations behind the wheel. McCormick spoke at T...
Dec 04, 2025•8 min•Season 6Ep. 5
The adoption of DEI, or diversity, equity, and inclusion, is often framed as progress, but for some, it functions as nothing more than corporate strategy. For journalist Pacinthe Mattar, nowhere are the limits—and failures—of DEI more stark than in relation to Palestine. She shares how the “Palestine exception” plays out in newsrooms, schools, and other areas of public life, and underscores the importance of confronting the anti-Palestinian racism DEI has failed to name. Mattar spoke at The Walr...
Nov 20, 2025•7 min•Season 6Ep. 4
What happens to poetry—and art at large—in a world shaped by algorithms? Poet Bardia Sinaee considers what it means to live in a time dominated by data and celebrates poetry’s ability to offer meaning where machines cannot. Sinaee spoke at The Walrus Talks Cultural Futures on April 30, 2024. To register for upcoming events happening online or in a city near you, and to catch up on our archive of The Walrus Talks, visit thewalrus.ca/events . And subscribe to The Walrus Events newsletter for updat...
Nov 06, 2025•9 min•Season 6Ep. 3
Teachers play a significant role in the lives of youth, shaping not just what they learn, but who they become. Yet, across Canada, schools are facing unprecedented teacher turnover due to demanding workloads, complex student needs, and the lingering effects of COVID-19. Dr. Jan Hare, Dean of Education at the University of British Columbia, highlights the critical work teachers do, the pressures they face, and what it will take to ensure the sustainability of the profession. Dr. Hare spoke at The...
Oct 23, 2025•10 min•Season 6Ep. 2
You could be forgiven, listening to the news these days, for thinking the electrification economy is dead. And yet, over the next two years, 95 percent of the world’s electricity growth demand is going to be met by renewables. Rachel Doran, executive director of Clean Energy Canada, examines the shifting energy landscape and identifies four obstacles Canada must confront in order to seize the promise of the clean energy transition. Doran spoke at The Walrus Talks Power Economy in Toronto on May ...
Oct 09, 2025•8 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Community isn’t just built through service. It’s sustained through shared purpose, trust, and care. Cyndi Gilbert is a board member and logistics coordinator at The Bike Brigade. This special episode of The Conversation Piece features content from her presentation at The Walrus Talks: Reimagining Volunteerism, supported by The Belonging Forum, an initiative of the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness. Gilbert spoke at The Walrus Talks: Reimagining Volunteerism on April 15, 2025. To register fo...
Aug 14, 2025•14 min•Season 5Ep. 28
Well-being can no longer be an afterthought for volunteers and non-profit workers. Vinod Rajasekaran is the CEO and editor-in-chief of Future of Good. This special episode of The Conversation Piece features content from his presentation at The Walrus Talks: Reimagining Volunteerism, supported by The Belonging Forum, an initiative of the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness. Rajasekaran spoke at The Walrus Talks: Reimagining Volunteerism on April 15, 2025. To register for upcoming events happen...
Aug 07, 2025•12 min•Season 5Ep. 27
Embracing creative, reciprocal, and culturally-rooted community-building models can help marginalized communities easily navigate the often complicated system of volunteerism. Kassandra James is the director of programs at Volunteer Toronto. This special episode of The Conversation Piece features content from her presentation at The Walrus Talks: Reimagining Volunteerism, supported by The Belonging Forum, an initiative of the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness. James spoke at The Walrus Talk...
Jul 31, 2025•12 min•Season 5Ep. 26
How can organizations that rely on the labour of volunteers make the experience of volunteering more meaningful? Suman Roy is the founder and CEO of the grassroots organization Feed Scarborough. This special episode of The Conversation Piece features content from his presentation at The Walrus Talks: Reimagining Volunteerism, supported by The Belonging Forum, an initiative of the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness. Roy spoke at The Walrus Talks: Reimagining Volunteerism on April 15, 2025. To...
Jul 24, 2025•10 min•Season 5Ep. 25
Volunteer work is more than just a resume booster. It’s a source of identity, pride, and purpose. Darrell Pinto is the director of employment at Jumpstart Refugee Talent. This special episode of The Conversation Piece features content from his presentation at The Walrus Talks: Reimagining Volunteerism, supported by The Belonging Forum, an initiative of the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness. Pinto spoke at The Walrus Talks: Reimagining Volunteerism on April 15, 2025. To register for upcoming...
Jul 17, 2025•9 min•Season 5Ep. 24
The science behind social connection is clear: volunteerism and face-to-face contact with our community members are essential for our well-being. Susan Pinker is a psychologist and author of the book The Village Effect . This special episode of The Conversation Piece features content from her presentation at The Walrus Talks: Reimagining Volunteerism, supported by The Belonging Forum, an initiative of the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness. Pinker spoke at The Walrus Talks: Reimagining Volun...
Jul 10, 2025•11 min•Season 5Ep. 23
Canada’s volunteer sector is in crisis. How can the culture of volunteerism be restored? Sara Lyons is the chief strategy and advancement officer at Volunteer Canada. This special episode of The Conversation Piece features content from her presentation at The Walrus Talks: Reimagining Volunteerism, supported by The Belonging Forum, an initiative of the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness. Lyons spoke at The Walrus Talks: Reimagining Volunteerism on April 15, 2025. To register for upcoming eve...
Jul 03, 2025•12 min•Season 5Ep. 22
Finding belonging isn’t just about building connections with people—it’s also about nurturing our relationships with the natural world. Chief Kluane Adamek is the Yukon regional chief of the Assembly of First Nations. This special episode of The Conversation Piece features content from her presentation at The Walrus Talks at Home: Indigenous Perspectives on Belonging, supported by The Belonging Forum, an initiative of the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness. Chief Adamek spoke at The Walrus T...
Jun 26, 2025•8 min•Season 5Ep. 21
What does it mean to belong in the workplace? Kelly Lendsay is the president and CEO of Indigenous Works and the chief executive transformation officer of Luminary. This special episode of The Conversation Piece features content from his presentation at The Walrus Talks at Home: Indigenous Perspectives on Belonging, supported by The Belonging Forum, an initiative of the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness. Lendsay spoke at The Walrus Talks at Home: Indigenous Perspectives on Belonging on Nove...
Jun 24, 2025•7 min•Season 5Ep. 20
Colonial policies have long undermined traditional Indigenous education systems. How can communities come together to reclaim this knowledge? Dr. Becky Cook is the lands monitoring manager of Misipawistik Cree Nation. This special episode of The Conversation Piece features content from her presentation at The Walrus Talks at Home: Indigenous Perspectives on Belonging, supported by The Belonging Forum, an initiative of the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness. Dr. Cook spoke at The Walrus Talks...
Jun 19, 2025•9 min•Season 5Ep. 19
Meaningful representation in creative spaces can help facilitate a strong sense of belonging and community. Camryn Dewar is a Métis opera and classical singer. This special episode of The Conversation Piece features content from her presentation at The Walrus Talks at Home: Indigenous Perspectives on Belonging, supported by The Belonging Forum, an initiative of the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness. Dewar spoke at The Walrus Talks at Home: Indigenous Perspectives on Belonging on November 25...
Jun 17, 2025•7 min•Season 5Ep. 18
How might personalized, culturally-specific interventions shape more effective responses to social isolation? Kahir Lalji is the provincial director of government relations and community engagement at United Way British Columbia. This special episode of The Conversation Piece features content from his presentation at The Walrus Talks at Home: Rx Belonging, supported by The Belonging Forum, an initiative of the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness. Lalji spoke at The Walrus Talks at Home: Rx Be...
Jun 12, 2025•8 min•Season 5Ep. 17
Social prescribing is empowering vulnerable communities to cultivate a sense of agency through relationship building and resourcefulness. Diana Rose is a link worker with Healthy Aging Alberta and Family and Community Support Services for Wheatland County and the town of Strathmore. This special episode of The Conversation Piece features content from her presentation at The Walrus Talks at Home: Rx Belonging, supported by The Belonging Forum, an initiative of the Samuel Centre for Social Connect...
Jun 10, 2025•8 min•Season 5Ep. 16
With new evidence emerging about the impact of connection on health, social prescribing is bridging the gap between clinical care and community care. Dr. Kate Mulligan is a health geographer, an assistant professor at the University of Toronto, and the scientific director at the Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing. This special episode of The Conversation Piece features content from her presentation at The Walrus Talks at Home: Rx Belonging, supported by The Belonging Forum, an initiative ...
Jun 05, 2025•7 min•Season 5Ep. 15
