In this episode Niha talks to Mama Lawson. She shares her story of being born into a large family, where she was the seventh child. Most of her childhood was spent in Oregon, where she faced much adversity as they were the first family of color in the town. She was a teacher for over 30 years and continues to use her talent to uplift and encourage. She is currently traveling the world with her son Comedian Preacher Lawson.
This episode is hosted by Niha Shahzad and produced by Marcela Popowich.
Join us as we talk to Ottawa-born singer-songwriter Nambi! She has become one of her city’s most darling and well-respected voices. She talks to Niha and Gabriel about her music journey, having a family, her inspirations and the meaning and importance of building a community. With the help of FACTOR Canada, Nambi is currently putting the finishing touches on her third studio album, “Latebloomer Vol 1”, released in 2025.
Listen to Nambi on Apple Music and Spotify
Find her on Instagram @nambimusic
This episode is hosted by Niha Shahzad and Gabriel Cormier and produced by Marcela Popowich.
Part 2 of the Story of Connor Smithers-Mapp sees Connor sharing his thoughts on diversity readiness, system racism and the convergence of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.
Our regular host Niha Shazad is joined by Gabriel Cormier n a conversation with Connor Smithers-Mapp.
Join us today as Connor Smithers-Mapp shares his story of growing up as a black child in Nova Scotia - in a time where communities pooled money together and had to choose one black child to send off to a better high school to how his parents worked several jobs, found time to be activists and make a difference for their community.
Our regular host Niha Shahzad is joined by Gabriel Cormier in a conversation with Connor.
Curious about what a Minister thinks of Kendrick's new album, Jamie Foxx, and Kevin Hart? Find the answers in this episode of the IDEAA-nomics podcast! Niha Shahzad, Host and Sr. Director of the Canadian Center for Women's Empowerment, speaks with the Hon. Minister Marci Ien, Minister of Women, Gender Equality and Youth about Gender-Based Violence, Economic Abuse, importantly the health of men and boys, and how comedy and art have the power to heal.
In this episode, they talk about the good work of Canadian organizations WhiteRibbon , NextGenMen to help men and boys. They also highlight the new way that the Canadian Center for Women's Empowerment (CCFWE) is engaging the public on Economic Abuse including the CCFWE's new original song, Ascending (out now on Apple Music and Spotify), the accompanying Music Video and Social Media and Dance Challenges (complete with Gift prizes) ending on Dec 20, to raise awareness about Economic Abuse.
Canadian artists and comedians that came into the mix:
In this episode, Rene Fortier asks Niha Shahzad about her work as a Senior Director for the national non-profit, the Canadian Center for Women's Empowerment. She talks about the importance of raising awareness about Domestic Economic Abuse, a form of abuse that affects 1 out of 3 women in Canada. Niha also discusses the production of an original song by the CCFWE, for their annual Help Us Rise campaign to raise awareness about Economic Abuse. The song called Ascending with local Toronto artist, SABRE ft. Niha is about the experience of leaving any difficult relationship.
The song will be accompanied by a Music Video, produced by CCFWE, which with local Ottawa dance schools, Vibes Dance Academy and Upasana Spirit of Dance. The video will release on Nov 26 Economic Abuse Awareness Day (Watch the teaser)
Download the song Ascending on Spotify or Apple Music
Register for CCFWE's Panel event on Nov 26 about Digital Economic Abuse, and follow @CCFWE on LinkedIn, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), or Youtube to learn more.
Comedian and social worker, Jesse Singh a.k.a. the Punjabi Timbit talks to us about comedy in Canada, his life as a social worker, and his experience in an immigrant family growing up at Jane and Finch in Toronto. In this funny and heartfelt episode, Jesse talks about the nature of comedy in Canada and the South Asian community. He talks about his story of being in a household of abuse, as a result of trauma from the war in Punjab. We hear about the strength of his mother who became a single mother and raised two children. We hear about how both social work and comedy focus on meeting people where they are, and helping shift their perspectives to achieve empowerment.
Follow Jesse Singh on Instagram or TikTok @ThePunjabiTimbit.
Niha speaks to Sebastien N'Singi, Legal Counsel at the Department of Justice working at the Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Secretariat. His conviction for fighting wrongdoing did not start at the public service. Rather a career in Government is an outcome of his constant dedication to advocate for what is right, even if it threatened his life. While at university in the 1970s, Sebastien participated in protests against the dictatorship regime of President Mobutu in Democratic Republic of Congo. Due to the substantial risk, he was forced to flee his home country as a refugee. After landing in Portugal, he came to Canada, after a the Commissioner of the UN High Commission for Refugees took notice of Sebastien, and his proficiency in French.
Here in Canada, he continued his education and was encouraged by mentors to become a lawyer, and eventually he found himself at the Department of Justice. Sebastien’s story is a fascinating tale of resilience and justice with an inspiring ending, coming in Part 2. We're convinced he'll have a documentary soon.
This special episode is a rebroadcast of a webinar hosted by Policy Horizons Canada, during Futures Week 2024. This webinar was recorded on May 7, 2024, with the introduction by Kristel Van der Elst, Director General of Policy Horizons Canada. The episode is about witnessing Indigenous perspectives on the future and how they influence our relationships to work, time, each other and earth.
Circle Keeper
Circle members
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Cet épisode spécial est une rediffusion d'un webinaire organisé par Horizons politiques Canada, dans le cadre de la Semaine du futur 2024. Ce webinaire a été enregistré le 7 mai 2024, avec l'introduction de Kristel Van der Elst, directrice générale d'Horizons politiques Canada. L'épisode traite des perspectives autochtones sur l'avenir et de la façon dont elles influencent nos relations au travail, au temps, aux autres et à la terre.
Gardienne du cercle
Membres du cercle
In this episode you'll hear Niha Shahzad speak to Denise Wong, Director of Emerging Priorities at Natural Resources Canada about her journey navigating her public service career. After achieving a hard-won accomplishment of completing an EX-01 Director-level competition, Denise faced a setback in her career. She took time to introspect and reaffirm what it was that she wanted to accomplish. She reflects on reconnecting with her values, what it means to be a racialized woman in the public service, and how she wanted to build effective teams in the public service. Through this process and the sponsorship of another public servant, Denise became a Director, and exemplifies what it means to lead as your authentic self.
Please note: this episode contains references to violence.
What would you find after riding along with police officers and interviewing them for four years? How much of the 'war on cops' is true or just rhetoric? What are the unintended consequences of orienting an institution around the idea that they are always in danger when they're on the job?
Niha and Vishala find the answers to these questions with Dr. Sierra-Arévalo, whose new book, the Danger Imperative, explores these very questions. Dr. Sierra-Arévalo also describes the shift in policing after George Floyd and alternative methods to public safety and reducing violence.
You can find The Danger Imperative here:
https://www.sierraarevalo.com/dangerimperative
https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Imperative-Violence-Death-Policing/dp/0231198477
In this conversation with Dr. Shaun Anderson, Shamir and Niha talk about the greatest black athletes including Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Lebron James about their approaches to standing up for social justice. Hear Dr. Anderson explain the story behind his book, the Black Athlete Revolt. He explains the genesis of athletes standing up for justice, to today's impact of social media on the social movement.
This episode was recorded on Dec 2022.
You can buy the Black Athlete Revolt here:
https://www.shaunmarqanderson.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Athlete-Revolt-Movement-BlackLivesMatter/dp/1538153246
In celebration of Black Excellence for this year's Black History Month, we are proud to introduce you to NRCan student employee and rugby player Brianna Martey.
This episode is co-hosted by Niha Shahzad and Vishala Shembedasie.
On this episode you'll hear how Faduno Ali was able to create a sanctuary space for all at DND. Faduno talks to Barbara Abbas and Niha from NRCan about how to start, who to talk to and, how to overcome some of the challenges that might come up.
After listening, if you're looking for more information on how to create a Sanctuary Space in your Department, visit: Searching for tranquility? Visit the redesigned Sanctuary at NDHQ (Carling) - Canada.ca
Part 2 of our discussion with author and historian Blair LM Kelley where she discusses her new book, Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class. This episode is co-hosted by Niha Shahzad and Vishala Shembedasie.
Part 1 of our discussion with author and historian Blair LM Kelley where she discusses her new book, Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class. This episode is co-hosted by Niha Shahzad and Vishala Shembedasie.
In this episode, Marcela Popowich speaks to Alfonso Manolo, a proud queer first generation Filipino-Canadian, about his career in the public service. Alfonso shares how he successfully advocated for the inclusion of anti-Asian racism and religious discrimination into the RCMP’s national anti-racism course, alongside his advocacy for the collection of perception-based data.
Jaspaul takes us through his journey as the son of immigrants, what it meant to be part of the public service as the oldest, and how he experienced his identity throughout his career.
Jennifer Hong, co-chair of the Visible Minorities Ambassadors Network at NRCan, explores the ways in which we can engage meaningfully with ourselves and others. Jenn also reminds us to approach life and people with curiosity to connect, learn and grow.
Listen to Niha speak with Winnie Man Yin Pang, Director General of the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Branch at Department of Canadian Heritage. Winnie talks about her journey from hiding her Chinese name in her youth to making the decision to embrace her full name as an adult. Though she experienced microaggressions within the public service, she shares how she found inspiration (including DM Quan-Watson's Open Letter) to help her embrace her identity and background.
She constantly works toward change and helping those like herself, who at first may have felt like outsiders within the public service, through the Network of Asian Federal Employees.
