Human Trafficking with Marissa Marx of Dressember

Kyla and Kristen are joined by Marissa Marx, the senior director of partnerships and programs with the Dressember foundation to discuss human trafficking. Marissa is responsible for spearheading the Dressember Network, developing Dressember’s programs, and collaborating with ethical brand partners. Prior to joining Dressember, Marissa received her Masters in Human Rights and International Relations with a research focus on gender-based violence in conflict zones. Previously, Marissa worked in academic research and communications & fundraising positions within the non-profit sector. Topics: what is Dressember; what is human trafficking; who is affected; how variable and nuanced every situation is; what happens to survivors after leaving; what supports are needed to combat this issue; misconceptions; what you can do.

We do our best to keep graphic descriptions out of this episode, but please take care of yourself if you are not in a place to be engaging on a subject of forced labour or sexual abuse.

If you or someone you know requires further assistance, please reach out to your local Human Trafficking Hotline. The number in Canada is 1-833-900-1010, or chat with them online.

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Ethical Parenting with Sarah Mistak

Kyla and Kristen are joined by Sarah Mistak to grapple with the challenges of raising a good person in a complicated world. Sarah has a Masters in Global Affairs, and is the mother of a 4 year old and a 2 year old. Topics: talking with kids about biases, privilege, truth and reconciliation, and other difficult subjects; mom culture; modern family limitations and boundaries; navigating a world where everyone wants to buy kids “stuff”; technology; millennial motherhood and guilt; food, clothing, and diaper waste; predatory marketing for new parents; how to trust your gut.

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Road to Nowhere with Paris Marx

This week, Kyla and Kristen are joined by Paris Marx, the host of Tech Won't Save Us, a weekly podcast that critiques the worldview of Silicon Valley. Paris has been published by NBC News, CBC News, Toronto Star, Jacobin, Tribune, OneZero, Canadian Dimension, and more. Paris holds a Master's degree in Geography and will be talking to us about their new book, “Road to Nowhere: What Silicon Valley Gets Wrong about the Future of Transportation”. This book explores the history of transportation and the current problems with tech in transport, with a focus on Silicon Valley and their visions of the future.

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Disabilities Justice

“Kyla's been an imaginary dictator for 10 seconds and she's already got a revolt on her hands.”

Kristen and Kyla are joined by Megan Linton from Invisible Institutions, a documentary podcast exploring the past and present of institutions for people labelled with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Canada. They discuss the current state of institutions, how persons with disabilities are treated within the system, why institutions are run as they are, and what could replace the system.

Become a pen pal
Get involved with the abolition movement

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The Olympics

"I'm just pulling up the Olympic sponsors list right now... oh yeah, it's a real axis of evil as far as corporations go."

Kristen and Kyla are joined by Abdul Malik of the Off Court Podcast to discuss what it would take to have an ethical Olympics. Topics include: effects on the environment, vulnerable citizens, and athletes; global politics; sponsorships; corruption; labour movements; the value of sports to our community.

Abdul recommends:
Bad Sport and Drive to Survive on Netflix
NOlympians by Jules Boykoff

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Cultural Appropriation

Kyla and Kristen are joined by Panthea, Saliema, and Biraima to discuss cultural appropriation. Panthea is a television, film, and theatre actor, and founder and Managing Artistic Director of Medusa Theatre Society, and Saliema and Biraima are members of the Daily Dose of Blackness podcast and media group designed to centre and celebrate Black youth experiences and struggles.

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Tax Justice with Fariya Mohiuddin

"And when I say 'generational wealth' this is a Duke, right? This dude has been inheriting wealth since, as far as we know, Camelot."

Kyla and Kristen are joined this week by Fariya Mohiuddin to talk about tax justice. Fariya has a masters degree in Global Affairs and works as the Senior Program Officer for the International Budget Partnership's Tax Equity Initiative. Topics: What is tax evasion and tax avoidance? Why is tax avoidance a problem? How big is the problem? How would a wealth tax work? How do we support businesses that pay their fair share, and what other solutions exist?

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Exclusion, Privilege, and Ethical Consumption

In this episode, Kyla and Kristen are joined by Brianna Scrimshaw Botchwey to talk about exclusion, privilege, and ethical consumption. Brianna is an aspiring zero waster and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on sustainable development and foreign aid. Kristen, Kyla, and Brianna talk about the different ways that ethical fashion companies exclude people and what you can do about it. Topics: barriers to participating in sustainable fashion; big brands and ex/inclusive sizing; sustainable fashion brands and ex/inclusive sizing; thrift shopping; ethical fashion and affordability; and solutions.

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Forced Labour Part Two

For part two of the forced labour series, Kristen and Kyla discuss what consumers should do to address forced labour. Kyla is sad about how Christmas lights are made. Kristen learns about three different kinds of forced labour in rice production. Topics: forced labour in global supply chains; leading big brands; fair trade; boycott?; use your voice to promote human rights; our challenges.

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Forced Labour Part One

In this episode, Kyla and Kristen are joined by Alexandra Sundarsingh to discuss the topic of forced labour. Alexandra (Lex) Sundarsingh is a second year PhD student in the department of history at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Topics: what is forced labour; the scale of forced labour; where it occurs; who is affected; and causes.

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