In this conversation, Jann Arden, Caitlin Green, and Sarah Burke discuss various topics including Jann's recent National Geographic show narrating the secrets of whales with a live symphony orchestra, the importance of animal advocacy, Taylor Swift's new album, and the challenges of being an artist. They also touch on the impact of social media and the future of Taylor Swift's career. They also touch on the TV show 'Hacks' and their love for the Toronto Maple Leafs (well some more than others, anyway).
The conversation concludes with a segment on disability that picks up another perspective on our recent episode about medical assistance in dying (MAID) and the importance of listening to different perspectives. Our guest is Mitchell Tremblay, an advocate who’s fighting for a better future for all Canadians with disabilities
Mitchell has been in and out of hospitals since he was 17, diagnosed with social anxiety, generalized anxiety, PTSD and personality disorders. He was homeless by age 18 and has since been homeless 7 times.
A note from Mitchell:
"I am just one voice of many, at least 1.5 million Canadians with disabilities are in legislated poverty. We have advocates who've ended their lives. It's so hard to mobilize with mobility issues and protests are non existent yet we are the largest minority in Canada."
His single wish for those who have been unaware about this situation in Canada is to listen & learn, so we invite you to follow along with Mitchell and we thank him for joining us this week.
At 42 years old now, Mitchell is one of the strongest voices advocating for the disabled community. Mitchell wanted us to share the link to this Al Jazeera story with our audience, although he’s done many interviews about his experience:
https://youtu.be/cxqVaaBx3gg?si=ZptbjeteKfVYwEEY
Please find out more about Mitchell by following along with him on socials and giving a listen to his podcast where he speaks to people with disabilities from coast to coast about the state of disability in Canada and the lived realities of those impacted by broken systems.
-Jann, Caitlin & Sarah
The PWDcast episodes:
https://open.spotify.com/show/4NG7aOO1fjsq94VmRwvK1E
All interviews:
https://linktr.ee/odspoor
Read more about this topic in last week's budget announcement: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/national-disability-benefit-announced-federal-budget-1.7175828
