Breath In, Write Out

This week’s episode is about anti-Black racism - what is it and what does it mean for a more inclusive society? Unfortunately, even after the Civil Rights Movement in the US, Black Lives Matters, and countless acts of civil disobedience and protest, racism persists in Canada and the world. More recently, we have been hearing about concepts about anti-Black racism, but many people do not know what this means. We thought this topic would be important for students who want to become Black allies and do what they can to fight against structural racism.

Today’s podcast guest is Jemimah Amos, PhD candidate in Sociology at the University of Windsor. Her PhD dissertation focuses on the encounters of African immigrant women with the labour market in Canada. She adopts an approach that reiterates the intersectionality of race, gender, and class. Jemimah is also working with a research team to develop an online course that will teach students how to effectively intervene when they witness an act of anti-racism.

This week’s episode is about the online undergraduate experience. Going to university is a wonderful opportunity to not only learn about a diverse array of subjects, but also make friends and build social networks. There are several universities in Canada that operate solely online, such as Athabasca University. Online universities are a great resource for students who are in remote areas or mature students, but it can be hard to cultivate the same interpersonal relationships as being on campus studying. We thought this would be a good topic to discuss as many students have been and are continuing to study online during COVID.

This week’s guest is Devon Mair, a Business student at Athabasca University and Social Media Marketing Assistant at PFAU, who is passionate about marketing and art. Devon previously studied Criminology and Teaching, and found the perfect place where she can apply her passion for helping. She is a people-person, community-minded, and an amazing social connector.

This week’s episode is part of our series, Careers in the Liberal Arts. People often undervalue Liberal Arts degrees, but there’s a lot to gain from a Bachelor of Arts that can help you in any number of careers. Economics, for instance, is a valuable area of study for individuals interested in international business or trade. Understanding what you can do with an Economics degree can help you to truly value the content of the courses you’re enrolled in, and find ways to gain practical experience to develop a meaningful career after graduation.

This week’s guest is Jay Qin. He is a Principal at Sard Verbinnen in Hong Kong. Prior to joining SVC, Jay was a transactional lawyer with two leading UK international law firms. Jay has advised a variety of clients, including those in the technology, venture capital, private equity, retail and manufacturing sectors. Jay has advised clients on M&A, cross-border investments, fundraising rounds, diverse commercial arrangement and regulatory matters, often acting as the external general counsel for his clients. Currently, Jay is doing strategic communications for crisis management SVC.

Jay graduated with honors from the University of Toronto with a bachelor’s degree in Economics, and specialized international relations master’s degree in Asia Pacific Studies. He has also obtained a Juris Doctor degree and Postgraduate Certificate in Laws from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

This week’s episode is about the art of networking. We thought this topic would be helpful to students who have recently graduated and are working on finding their first full-time job. While job searching can be very stressful, having the right tools and strategy can make success easy.

Robert Braathe is the founder of Braathe Enterprises, serving as a business trainer and leader of The Career Service Station, BEYourStart and TEMPO Business Training. Mr. Braathe received his MBA from Western Connecticut State University and his Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality from UMass. In addition, he has taken PhD level courses from The University at Albany and Northcentral University. After working in management positions with Walt Disney World, Gap and Apple, Mr. Braathe founded his company in October 2005. Mr. Braathe teaches at The College of St. Rose and several community colleges and private colleges in courses that include hospitality, management, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

This week’s episode is about the gifts that writing can provide to your mental health. Writing can be a great emotional relief, healing old wounds, providing unique insights, and enhancing personal growth. Journaling and self-reflecting are practices that I engage in daily, and make a huge difference in the quality of my life. I find creative writing an amazing outlet to tap into childhood memories and expand my self-awareness too.

Today’s guest is Linh Nguyen, a Vietnamese-Canadian writer and workshop facilitator, passionate about #OwnVoices storytelling and creating space for underrepresented artists in mainstream media. She holds an H.B.A. in English from the University of Toronto and specializes in writing creative non-fiction and children’s literature and is currently pursuing her Masters at Cambridge. Her current project is a middle-grade children’s portal fantasy manuscript, which she is revising for publication.

This week’s episode is about the study of Sociology. Sociology is the study of human interaction or individuals as members of a group. Many students take a first-year Sociology course unsure what it is about and may even leave the course confused or overwhelmed by the breadth of information and topics that can be researched in the field of Sociology. In particular, students coming out of high school may be unfamiliar with the use of theories and methodologies to conduct research and write papers.

This week’s guest is Jemimah Amos, PhD candidate in Sociology at the University of Windsor and PFAU Academic Writing coach and editor. Her academic and research interests include migration, race and ethnicity, feminism, and qualitative methodologies. She is also an academic tutor and graduate assistant in the department of Sociology at the University of Windsor working closely with students to improve their understanding of course materials, assignments delivery, and essay writing. Jemimiah moved to Canada from Lagos, Nigeria in 2017. She enjoys reading, travelling, brainstorming, and watching movies.

This week’s episode is about the connection between mental health and creativity. Oftentimes students are so caught up with getting good grades or a prestigious job that they forget to have fun. They forget that learning is supposed to bring joy. They don’t realize that writing a research paper is actually a creative process, and it is possible to inject their own personality in the process. Most of all, they can easily buy into the idea that being successful means suppressing one’s emotions. But, feelings are not our enemy, they are our friend.

This week’s guest is Phoebe Taylor, artist, mindful mover, community maker and creative director of Okay Shoe. Her work explores the intersection of art, mindfulness, intuition and movement. Okay Shoe works collaboratively with artists to create stuff + space for feeling okay. My work as a visual artist utilizes zines and other modes of public art and installations. She believes one good rock show can change the world, art is for everyone to make and enjoy, and everyone deserves to feel good in their body, even you

This week’s episode is about overcoming the tortures of writer’s block. So often students avoid starting a paper because of the pain associated with writing that first sentence, but writing doesn’t have to be so terrible. In fact, in many cases, it can be fun. It is an artform after all. Today we’ll be talking about how to make writing enjoyable, and even playful.

This week’s guest is Davood Gozli, PFAU Academic Writing editor and coach, specializing in Psychology. Davood has over seven years of university-level teaching experience, a BSc from Trent University, and PhD in Psychology from the University of Toronto. He has published a book and dozens of peer-reviewed academic articles—including several articles co-authored with students—and has helped hundreds of students feel more comfortable about writing. Most notably, he believes in the power of writing as a personal practice that can excite, enliven, and empower us.

This week’s episode is about the art of writing a literary essay, something a little different than a research paper. For students accustomed to essays that require a lot of research, citations, and arguments on a specific topic, writing an essay for English 101 or Grade 12 English can be a real puzzle. This type of essay necessitates a more in-depth analysis of a particular text, or oftentimes only an excerpt of text. At first glance, it may seem easy, but it actually takes a high level of skill to write a strong literary essay. We thought this topic would be helpful to our listeners who are attempting their first literary essay or trying to improve upon a poor grade. Remember that writing is a practice that takes time and effort to improve upon.  Today’s guest is Natalia Hunter, PFAU Academic Writing coach and editor. Natalia has a Masters in English from Wilfrid Laurier University, and Bachelors of Arts in English and Medieval Studies. While pursuing graduate studies, Natalia was a teaching assistant for the Laurier English department, leading weekly tutorial groups and working closely with students to assist with their understanding of the course material and help with their essay writing and critical thinking skills. Her own academic experience and work as a teaching assistant have given Natalia a keen eye for what it takes to do excellent literary analysis.

This week’s episode is about socially conscious business. We thought this topic would be helpful to our listeners who are looking for meaningful employment and/or social change. In university, everything seems possible and many of us are inspired to create change in the world after graduation. However, after entering the workforce, we may start to feel discouraged and lose our spark. So, why not bypass the corporate world and its expectations and start something that you care about and that can create the change that you want to see in the world.

Today’s guest is Braeden Wolf, founder of Remarkable Rejects, is a recent business graduate from Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario, who is passionate about nutrition, natural movement, and cooking. After graduating, he was inspired to turn his passions into a business that would reduce food waste and increase healthy eating. Braeden is also an avid baseball player, and previously was a team member of the Great Lake Canadians.

This week’s episode is about moving from one country to another to start school. Heading off to university is a significant milestone in one’s life, and even more so if it also means traveling abroad to a whole new country on your own. For international students who started university during COVID the experience has been a little different, but as vaccines are doled out and the health situation looks a bit more hopeful this year’s international students may be considering a few different options as they return to their degree in the Fall. We thought we’d speak with someone who’s been an international student himself while a graduate student, and is also very familiar with the needs and situations of international students on a major university campus.

Professor Joseph Wong is Vice-President, International, University of Toronto, where he is also the Roz and Ralph Halbert Professor of Innovation at the Munk School of Global Affairs, and Professor of Political Science in the Faculty of Arts and Science. He held the Canada Research Chair in Health, Democracy, and Development for two terms from 2006 to 2016. He is the author of many academic articles and several books, including Healthy Democracies: Welfare Politics in Taiwan and South Korea and Betting on Biotech: Innovation and the Limits of Asia’s Developmental State. Inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals, in collaboration with the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, Professor Wong founded the Reach Alliance, a model for student-led, faculty-mentored, multi-disciplinary research dedicated to investigating the pathways to success for innovative programs that are reaching the world’s most marginalized populations.

We interviewed Yiwei Jin, PFAU Academic writing and applications coach, Yiwei Jin, about his 1st-year law school experience. This week’s episode is meant to give undergraduate students interested in Law School some insights into what it is really like. The lawyers as seen on TV are not necessarily representative of the real experience of studying law or becoming a lawyer. Today, we hope to dispel some of those myths. 

Yiwei has a Masters in Political Science and Asian Studies from the University of Toronto, and has recently finished his first year of Law at the UofT as well. Yiwei has also spent time working as a research fellow for the Asia-Pacific Institute in Vancouver, and is a talented writer, researcher, and academic.

We interviewed Yinan Xia about finding suitable housing for students living outside of the dormitory or their parents' home for the first time. Where you live can have a huge impact on how you feel, and in turn, how you do in school. Factors such as location, quality of the building, price, and co-inhabitants can greatly affect the quality of life you have in your living space. So, it is important to know what to look for when looking for a place to live. 

Yinan Xia is a Real Estate Broker and the Sr. Vice President at the Bay Street Group, as well as an adjunct lecturer teaching Real Estate Investment courses at Victoria International College of Business and Technology. He was ranked #1 out of 900 agents in Bay Street Group by gross revenue in both 2020 and 2019. He loves what he does and is passionate about finding his clients the best home for their needs.

Watch the video version of the interview on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/W6x_HagXhA4

We interviewed Penelope and Mary are two sisters on a mission to create empowering relatable designs that highlight social issues that they feel deserve a spotlight, about starting your own business without a business degree. The professional world isn’t exactly the same as generations before us. People change careers often, work multiple jobs or gigs, and often prefer to work for themselves than a large established corporation. Long gone is the dream (or reality) of working the same job until retirement. So, we thought it would be interesting for students and recent grads to talk to some young adults who have started some creative and meaningful businesses.

Penelope and Mary are two sisters on a mission to create empowering relatable designs that highlight social issues that they feel deserve a spotlight. Through their online shop MOODish, Penelope and Mary showcase their meaningful designs on an array of clothing and accessories. They also try to do their part to give back to the community by donating a portion of their profits to non-profits that represent their personal and professional values. They are the epitome of a socially conscious business. Ultimately, Penelope and Mary’s goal is to make people feel good about themselves and brave enough to shed light on some really important issues.

This week's episode is part of our Careers in the Liberal Arts series, but with a twist. We will be talking about vocations. A vocation is defined as a strong feeling of suitability for a certain occupation. People who talk about being called to do something or that they couldn’t imagine doing anything else are likely pursuing a vocation. I personally feel like teaching is my vocation, but not all teachers feel like me. For some, it may just be a job. However, one profession that requires individuals to feel called to it before they can even get an entry level position is ministry. This is an area of work that is often not discussed by career counselors because of its status as a vocation, but for individuals who seek meaning, purpose, and a connection to something beyond themselves this may be the ideal path.

This week’s guest is Reverend Emily Gordon, a minister of the United Church of Canada here in Toronto. Emily did not start out her education knowing that she would one day become a minister, but her education has helped her in ministry. Emily completed her Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in English and Classics at Mount Allison University, followed by a Masters of English in Print Culture from Simon Fraser University. After a couple years of exploration and reflection, she felt the call to the Ministry and enrolled in a Ministers of Divinity from Emmanuel College, becoming an ordained Minister in 2015. Her original love of reading and writing is now expressed in reflecting on Biblical and other spiritual texts and writing prayers and sermons for church services and materials.

This week's episode is about finding a career in the arts as a recent graduate. While a B.A. degree provides students with transferable skills such as critical thinking, which can be used for a number of career paths, many choose to attend graduate school and eventually become a Professor.

We interview Danielle Law, PhD, and Associate Professor in Psychology and Youth and Children’s Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University. Danielle is also the Director of the Child and Adolescent Research and Education (CARE) Lab.

This week’s episode is about how to boost your resilience during COVID-19. The past year has been a difficult time for many, with dramatic lifestyle changes such as being isolated at home. While it is easy to feel discouraged, by taking small steps to build resilience, you can feel more in control and empowered in your life.

We interview Sarah Lang, a certified coach, who supports people to dream big, launch new projects, and bring creative visions to life. Sarah is passionate about helping her students develop their speaking confidence and skill set so they can make a bigger impact.

Tune in to find out more!

This week’s episode is part of our Careers in the Arts series, where we talk to young professionals with Fine Arts or Liberal Arts degrees, who have established themselves in an interesting and fulfilling profession. Deciding what to do after university, especially with a degree like a Bachelor of Arts that is often general and does not prepare you for any specific profession, can be daunting. What most students don’t realize though is that your Arts degree has provided you with a variety of transferable skills, such as critical thinking, research, organization, and communication that can be applied to a number of different professions. We hope that through these interviews students will feel less overwhelmed and hopeful about their career options.

Today’s guest is Megan Kee, the founder of 20/20 Arts, a non-profit organization dedicated to the production of innovative art projects that raise awareness, visibility, and fund for charitable organizations. Megan has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Ontario College of Art and Design, as well as a Master of Art in Museum and Gallery Studies from Kingston University in London, England. She has over ten years of experience in the Fine Arts industry, including working as a Gallery Assistant at Lausberg Contemporary, Head Exhibition Designer at Quaycrafts, and Project Manager at Pursuit Inc. She is passionate about bringing people together over collective values, beliefs, and passions, amplifying the voices of charities/non-profits through the most powerful medium she knows of: ART.

This week’s episode is about the stress caused by assignments and exams. We thought this topic would be helpful to our listeners who are about to enter the final exam season. Exam anxiety is a real and serious problem that can hinder students' academic performance.

This week I, Jane Jingyi Miao, creative and marketing assistant at PFAU Academic Writing, will be interviewing Lisa Pfau, the founder and CEO of Pfau Academic Writing. As you may know, Lisa has over 20 years of experience supporting students through academic challenges. I first met Lisa three years ago as a first-year International student at the University of Toronto. Lisa has helped me with the transition from high school to university, giving me lots of great tips about how to deal with the pressures of university.

This week’s episode is about the student experience as a visible minority. Although laws have been changed and attitudes adjusted, structural racism is real in Canada and it exists in our educational institutions too. Black, Indigenous, South Asian, and other minority students often experience racism and ethnocentrism on and off campus.

Today’s guest is Reggie Waterman, who is the director and founder of his own branding agency, XPRESSIVE. In 2019, he uncovered a gap in the post-grad job search experience and he has made it his mission to close the gap by providing students with a winning formula to ensure career success. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Reggie also decided to facilitate a Zoom series called Discover Your ‘Other” Self to provide inspiration and help people overcome life’s challenges, especially during these abnormal times. More importantly, he’s achieved all of this while facing racial barriers as a Black student and businessman.

This week’s episode is something students often take for granted - editing! Good writers know that the first draft is never going to be their best work. They need to put aside time to revision, edit, and proofread their work. The best writers have colleagues or professionals to provide them with insights on their work and to fix any technical issues. Like all art, writing takes multiple drafts to reach a level of greatness.

This week’s guest is Daina Sparling, an editor and proofreader at PFAU Academic Writing. Daina has a Psychology degree from the University of Alberta, and experience working as a Research Assistant for the Department of Medicine, Division of Studies. While at the university she collaborated with other academics in the creation, editing, and statistical analysis of examinations used in the medical school. Diana has over three years experience editing graduate-level dissertations and publications with PFAU. In her free time, Daina enjoys travel, beekeeping, and camping. She is a mother to two children and wife of 15 years to Darryl.

This week's episode discusses some of the mental health challenges that students encounter, and strategies to create a healthier study environment. Despite campaigns put forward by governments and corporations in the last decade that encourage a more open discussion about mental health, there are still a number of stigmas and taboos that surround mental health concerns, particularly mental health struggles that are connected to addiction. During this episode, we hope to deconstruct some of those stereotypes associated with mental illness and addiction; and instead, present an empathetic, compassionate, and sensitive framework to discuss the sometimes bumpy journey to mental wellness.

This week’s guest is Holly Smith, a Kanien'ke:haka (Mohawk) of the Haudenosaunee people from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. She is an experienced clinical occupational therapist in the field of mental health and substance use, who currently works as a clinical manager at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). She also recently established Indigenous Wellness Services, a mental health therapy and consulting business which offers a decolonized approach to mental health treatment.

This week’s episode is about how to successfully appeal a grade. Sometimes students work really hard on an assignment, but they do not get the grade they are expecting. This is usually because of a misunderstanding between the marker and the student. In these cases, it is often helpful to meet with your TA or professor to discuss the grading. These discussions are more challenging during Covid-19 because of social distancing; however, it is possible with strategies to successfully negotiate a better grade.

This week we are changing things up. The host of this week's podcast is Jingyi(Jane) Miao, the creative and marketing assistant at Pfau Academic Writing, and a fourth-year international student at the University of Toronto. Jingyi will be interviewing Lisa Pfau, the founder, and CEO of Pfau Academic Writing. As you may know, Lisa has over 20 years of experience helping students with essay writing, application support, and career development.

This week's episode is about goal setting and routines, particularly around sleep hygiene. Since students often have a varied and flexible schedule that allows them to stay up late and sleep in, particularly as we move into online classes, establishing and maintaining daily healthy routines can be a challenge.

We'll be interviewing Erin Spencer, a registered Occupational Therapist. She provides education on sleep hygiene, building routine, re-engaging in activities post-injury, ergonomics and mindfulness.

Tune in to find out more!

This week’s episode is about what it takes to write a solid research paper. We thought this topic would be helpful to our listeners who are currently working on their term research papers and feeling a bit overwhelmed. While writing can be stressful and time-consuming, a well-thought out and detailed research, note-taking, and planning process can make writing much easier.

Today’s guest is Amanda Christie, academic writing coach and editor at PFAU Academic Writing. Amanda comes from a family of teachers and professors. She is no slouch herself. She has a BA (Hons) in Global Development and Gender Studies from Queen’s University, and has worked on research projects with the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women, Newcomer Women’s Services, and Singing Out. She also presented at several conferences throughout Ontario as coordinator for a youth drop-in centre, and has a real passion for the education of young adults, helping them to edit essays, improve assignments, enhance university applications, and polish up English as a second language skills. When Amanda isn’t working, she is volunteering, gardening, cooking, reading, playing board games, and travelling.

This week's episode is part of our Careers in the Liberal Arts series as we discuss the journey of becoming a writer. Most people think of writers as authors of books, but there’s actually probably more writing than ever before with the advent of the internet. Websites, social media, newsletters, and online editorials all are areas where you can become a writer.

This week’s guest is Melody Belliveau, a freelance writer and author of the website, TheSocial-Commentary.com.  Melody started out writing for a local newspaper in her early thirties as a mother of four children. Then, family life put a pause in her writing career until she had to step back from her previous position due to health issues and decided to start her own website to inspire, encourage, and support others. She continues to challenge herself with new challenges, aiming to publish in a national magazine next. You never know when your writing career will flourish. The key is to never give up.

This week’s episode is something students often take for granted - editing! Good writers know that the first draft is never going to be their best work. They need to put aside time to revision, edit, and proofread their work. The best writers have colleagues or professionals to provide them with insights on their work and to fix any technical issues. Like all art, writing takes multiple drafts to reach a level of greatness.

This week’s guest is Daina Sparling, an editor and proofreader at PFAU Academic Writing. Daina has a Psychology degree from the University of Alberta, and experience working as a Research Assistant for the Department of Medicine, Division of Studies. While at the university she collaborated with other academics in the creation, editing, and statistical analysis of examinations used in the medical school. Diana has over three years experience editing graduate-level dissertations and publications with PFAU. In her free time, Daina enjoys travel, beekeeping, and camping. She is a mother to two children and wife of 15 years to Darryl.

This week’s episode is about academic integrity. For students going from high school to university, especially from other countries with different expectations, the ideas of academic integrity and plagiarism takes time to adjust to. Violations of academic integrity can lead to serious consequences from verbal reprimand to notation on the transcript or even suspension from school. During COVID-19, the issue of academic misconduct has heightened since schools can no longer use exam centres and classrooms, making them more concerned about cheating. This additional pressure has led to some misunderstandings and false accusations.

After graduating in 2007, Lisa Pfau worked in public policy and research, including: as a political intern at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing and a Research Coordinator at the University of Toronto. These experiences provided Lisa with the knowledge and networks to help her clients transition from academic to professional life.

She currently enjoys teaching specialized Creative Writing and Research Essay Writing courses and workshops at PFAU: Academic Writing, and other educational institutions, such as the University of Toronto and University of Alberta.

Over the past 20 years, she has mentored hundreds of clients in reading/writing fundamentals, critical thinking, research proficiency, organizational skills, and academic/career goal setting, as well as, research papers, scholarship proposals, and grad/professional school applications.

This week’s episode is about applying for university or college from high school, a critical step in many students’ lives. It is important to be fully prepared by exploring the programs and/or schools of interests, admission requirements, and application processes as there are different requirements. Extensive research and a solid plan are necessary to succeed in the application process.

This week’s host is Jane Miao, the Creative and Marketing Assistant at PFAU Academic Writing. She will be interviewing me, Lisa Pfau, founder and CEO of Pfau Academic Writing. As you may know, I have over 20 years of experience helping students with essay writing, application support and career development. One of my favorite things is getting to know students and helping them to develop their application essays.

This week’s episode is about something we don’t like to talk about, death and critical illness. When we are young we often think we are invincible, but this is not always the case. We are all fragile human beings, and at some point our lives will end. It is important to think of these eventualities sooner rather than later as it can save you a lot of additional hassle, stress, and even money.

This week’s guest is Mario Schwarzenberg is the owner/broker of MSI – Mario Schwarzenberg Insurance Services Inc., an insurance brokerage, has been offering its customers competitive insurance rates since the early 1990s. Mario guarantees you personal service and dedication that will help build a relationship for many years.  As a brokerage with many years experience in selling insurance, paying claims and access to all major insurance companies, we can offer a variety of plans at most competitive rates. MSI offers you a wide array of insurance services including: Life Insurance / Mortgage Insurance Business Benefits: Key-Person & Buy-Sell funding Dental & Medical Benefits for Businesses and Families Living Benefits: Critical Illness Insurance, Income Replacement / Disability Family Benefits Included with Insurance.

This week’s episode explores the experience of indigenous students studying at Canadian universities, and the issues that they care about. Six percent of the entire world population identifies as indigenous, and 5% of the Canadian population. In countries with a history of colonization, such as Canada, there is an underlying pain and tension between the indigenous and settler communities. As a result of generational trauma and discrimination, Indigenous students face different obstacles to their education than settler or international students.

This week’s guest is Fernanda Yanchapaxi, an Indigenous/Mesitzx PhD student in the Social Justice Program at the Ontario Institution for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. She has over 15 years experience working in the education sector to promote egalitarian policies and strategies that contribute to the healing of generations of racism and oppression. She has worked with youth and professionals to promote indigenous activism, policy development, and program implementation. Her current research focuses on indigenous knowledge with the context of Western intellectual property norms in her home country of Ecuador.

This week's episode is part of our Careers in the Liberal Arts series, but with a twist. We will be talking about vocations. A vocation is defined as a strong feeling of suitability for a certain occupation. People who talk about being called to do something or that they couldn’t imagine doing anything else are likely pursuing a vocation. I personally feel like teaching is my vocation, but not all teachers feel like me. For some, it may just be a job. However, one profession that requires individuals to feel called to it before they can even get an entry level position is ministry. This is an area of work that is often not discussed by career counselors because of its status as a vocation, but for individuals who seek meaning, purpose, and a connection to something beyond themselves this may be the ideal path.

This week’s guest is Reverend Emily Gordon, a minister of the United Church of Canada here in Toronto. Emily did not start out her education knowing that she would one day become a minister, but her education has helped her in ministry. Emily completed her Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in English and Classics at Mount Allison University, followed by a Masters of English in Print Culture from Simon Fraser University. After a couple years of exploration and reflection, she felt the call to the Ministry and enrolled in a Ministers of Divinity from Emmanuel College, becoming an ordained Minister in 2015. Her original love of reading and writing is now expressed in reflecting on Biblical and other spiritual texts and writing prayers and sermons for church services and materials.

This week’s episode is about how to successfully appeal a grade. Sometimes students work really hard on an assignment, but they do not get the grade they are expecting. This is usually because of a misunderstanding between the marker and the student. In these cases, it is often helpful to meet with your TA or professor to discuss the grading. These discussions are more challenging during Covid-19 because of social distancing; however, it is possible with strategies to successfully negotiate a better grade.

This week we are changing things up. The host of this week's podcast is Jingyi(Jane) Miao, the creative and marketing assistant at Pfau Academic Writing, and a fourth-year international student at the University of Toronto. Jingyi will be interviewing Lisa Pfau, the founder, and CEO of Pfau Academic Writing. As you may know, Lisa has over 20 years of experience helping students with essay writing, application support, and career development. 

This week’s episode is about men’s mental health. Men and women have been socialized differently around emotions, communication style, and dealing with life’s problems. Research has shown that men and women express depressive symptoms differently, for example. Women tend to emote and talk about their feelings, while men tend to pull inward and isolate themselves. It is unclear if their differences are biological or social, but they exist. And, this kind of self-isolating response to stress, especially emotional stress, can make it even more challenging for men to reach out for support than women when they need it the most.

Today’s podcast guest is Kristopher Morrison (Eagle Calling Man). Kris is an indigenous and men’s health advocate in Ontario. He was born in the Swamping Cree Territory, with a deeper connection to the Cree Territory. Kris continues to cultivate a connection to the land through spending time outdoors hunting, fishing, and trapping. While in Peterborough, Ontario, he employs his traditional and cultural knowledge and practices to teach leadership skills and build confidence in the community, with a special focus on changing how we view and cultivate male leadership. He believes that knowing who you are and what your values are is essential to the process of being a secure and competent leader in your own life, and the lives of those around you.

This week’s episode is about understanding introversion and breaking down barriers that often hold introverts back. We previously interviewed Faris Khaiilfeh, a Quiet Confidence Coach, about succeeding in the professional world as an introvert. The student experience as an introvert can also be challenging, especially in large educational institutions with tens of thousands of students. I remember myself feeling overwhelmed heading to university from a small town and I’m sure there are other students out there finding it hard to navigate the hectic nature of modern society.

This week’s guest is Julia Burdajewicz, also known as the Germann Introvert, a health psychology student and digital content creator, who is passionate about empowering fellow introverts and deconstructing popular stereotypes about introverts. She has been interviewed by Vice Magazine and connected with over 10,000 followers on her blog and other social media, on relevant topics related to introversion, such as creative strengths, mental health, mindfulness, and life experiences.

This week's episode discusses some of the mental health challenges that students encounter, and strategies to create a healthier study environment. Despite campaigns put forward by governments and corporations in the last decade that encourage a more open discussion about mental health, there are still a number of stigmas and taboos that surround mental health concerns, particularly mental health struggles that are connected to addiction. During this episode, we hope to deconstruct some of those stereotypes associated with mental illness and addiction; and instead, present an empathetic, compassionate, and sensitive framework to discuss the sometimes bumpy journey to mental wellness.

This week’s guest is Holly Smith, a Kanien'ke:haka (Mohawk) of the Haudenosaunee people from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. She is an experienced clinical occupational therapist in the field of mental health and substance use, who currently works as a clinical manager at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). She also recently established Indigenous Wellness Services, a mental health therapy and consulting business which offers a decolonized approach to mental health treatment.

This week’s episode is about how to stay healthy and mobile while working at home. Due to COVID-19, many people are working from home in less than ideal situations. Our previous podcast - Creating a Virtual Study Space - discussed how to create work-life balance and use technology effectively while working from home to avoid distractions; however, we did not touch on the issues associated with sitting for long periods of time in front of a computer screen. Maintaining physical health, particularly improving flexibility and avoiding painful injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, while working at a desk is important.

This week’s guest is Nastassia Pailkoff, a Registered Physiotherapist and acupuncture practitioner. Nastassia graduated with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Queen's University and Medical Contemporary Acupuncture Certificate from McMaster University, after completing her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at York University. During her studies, she volunteered at the Black Creek Community Centre in a program that worked to manage chronic disease through exercise. Nastassia's treatment approach is focused primarily on patient education, exercise prescription and correction, and manual therapy. She currently works in the areas of pediatric cerebral palsy, and neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement in adults. She believes rehabilitation should be as personalized as the individual being cared for.

This week’s episode is about my favorite celebration of all-time - HALLOWEEN!! Every year I look forward to Halloween, not because I am a fan of being scared or engaging in debauchery, but because of the imagination and creativity involved. I love seeing different costumes, decorating my home, and finding a way to scare my students. Halloween for me is inspirational, so today we are going to talk about the art of writing horror and creepy stories.

Today’s guest is my work-study student and our podcast editor and blog post composting, Jingyi (Jane) Miao. Jane isn’t really an official expert, but she has watched hundreds, maybe thousands of horror movies and spooky shows. She knows the genre so well that she even dreams of entire movie plots and scenes in her sleep. I should also mention that Jane is a Bachelor of Arts student in Economic and International Relations at the University of Toronto, and a very talented writer in both English and Chinese...but mostly, she is my go-to person for scary stuff.

This week's episode is about self-expression through poetry and creative writing. Anyone has the capacity to write a poem!

This week’s guest is Christie Wong, a Creative Writing Instructor and Coach at PFAU: Academic Writing. Christie specializes in teaching creative writing, with a focus on poetry. She self-published her own poetry book in her youth and was an Artist in Residence at Project 40 Collective in 2019.

Tune in to find out more!

This week’s episode is about the transition from an undergraduate degree to a graduate degree, particularly in conducting graduate research. As an undergraduate, you are working to meet certain requirements and receive high grades. However, when you transition to graduate school, the relationship you have with your professors, colleagues, and the research changes. You’re treated more like an equal and the focus becomes on concentrating on developing your research skills and ideas. As we begin the Fall term, many of you are starting Grad School for the first time, so we thought it would be a good idea to talk a bit about that transition.

This week’s guests are Dane Mauer-Vakil and Aravind Rajendran, Masters students enrolled in the Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation at the University of Toronto. Dane is focussed on mental health and addiction services, with particular attention paid to the community setting. Aravind is currently a Research Assistant at the Ontario Tobacco Research Unit, and has an interest in the tobacco control policy, with a focus on e-cigarettes.

This week’s episode is about the art of writing, a process that can bring a lifetime of joy, frustration, and inevitably fulfillment. Writing is a unique form of communication that relies on our ability to create imagined realities with the deliberate and careful use of words, punctuation, grammar, and style. 

 We interview Laifong Leung, Chinese Language and Literature scholar, about the art of writing, a process that can bring a lifetime of joy, frustration, and inevitably fulfillment. She is passionate about classical Chinese poetry, contemporary Chinese literature, Chinese diasporic literature, and language teaching.

Tune in to find out more!

This week’s episode is about making the transition from high school to university. For many students, this is their first time being away from home, living in a big city, and being around so many other smart competitive colleagues. It’s a major transition that seems to either go well or terribly wrong over the course of a year. It’s important to be mentally prepared for this transition, and take advantage of as many of the campus resources available in order to set yourself up for success.

This week’s guest is David Zarnett, the Undergraduate Student Advisor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Toronto, as well as an experienced lecturer on global security, human rights, international cooperation, and war and peace.  As the Undergraduate Advisor, he helps students address the many challenges they face during their undergraduate studies and helps them prepare for life after they graduate. He is passionate about empowering students of all abilities to be successful on their own terms.

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This week's episode is about finding a career in the arts as a recent graduate. While a B.A. degree provides students with transferable skills such as critical thinking, which can be used for a number of career paths, many choose to attend graduate school and eventually become a Professor.

We interview Danielle Law, PhD, and Associate Professor in Psychology and Youth and Children’s Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University. Danielle is also the Director of the Child and Adolescent Research and Education (CARE) Lab.

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This week’s episode is about how to boost your resilience during COVID-19. The past few months have been a difficult time for many, with dramatic lifestyle changes such as being isolated at home. While it is easy to feel discouraged, by taking small steps to build resilience, you can feel more in control and empowered in your life.

We interview Sarah Lang, a certified coach, who supports people to dream big, launch new projects, and bring creative visions to life. Sarah is passionate about helping her students develop their speaking confidence and skill set so they can make a bigger impact. 

Tune in to find out more!

This week’s episode is about the undergraduate experience from the perspective of a recent graduate. We thought this topic would be helpful to our listeners who are preparing to start university or college in the Fall. While being a student can be very stressful, having the right tools and insights can make the experience better.

Lisa P. interviews Lisa M, a recent psychology graduate from the University of Toronto, who is passionate about understanding how to build meaningful human relationships and interactions.

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This week's episode is an interview with PFAU Academic Writing CEO, Lisa Pfau, on her journey to becoming a writing coach and entrepreneur, as well as her love for writing and helping students. As we head back to into the Fall and many 4th year students and recent grads may be thinking of next steps, Lisa P. also provides listeners with some great tips on what to think about when applying to grad school and how to write a solid personal statement. Always ready for some advice, she couldn't avoid it even though the interview was about her in celebration of her upcoming birthday and reflecting back on what the past seven years in business have brought her.

Host Lisa P., CEO and Sr. Coach at PFAU Academic Writing, shares her journey or starting a business and essential tips for students applying to graduate school and continuing education.

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This week's episode is about goal setting and routines, particularly around sleep hygiene. Since students often have a varied and flexible schedule that allows them to stay up late and sleep in, particularly as we move into online classes, establishing and maintaining daily healthy routines can be a challenge.

We'll be interviewing Erin Spencer, a registered Occupational Therapist. She provides education on sleep hygiene, building routine, re-engaging in activities post-injury, ergonomics and mindfulness.

Tune in to find out more!

This week's episode is about the importance of clear communication in professional and academic environments. For students whose first language is not English, clear communication can be a barrier to getting those great ideas across.

We interviewed Catherine Steele, pronunciation coach, accent reduction specialist, and owner of English Pronunciation of Success. Catherine has a Bachelor's of Education and TESOL certificate specializing in Languages, Literature and Linguistics. 

Tune in to find out more!