Shows
Relief, development and podcastTogether we can / Ken OgasawaraJoin us on a fascinating journey as we explore the story behind MCC's first-ever stationary meat cannery in Ontario. Hosted by Ken Ogasawara, this episode delves into the history, challenges, and triumphs of the Mennonite Central Committee's meat canning operations. From the early days of the mobile meat canner to the grand opening of the new 10,000 square foot facility, discover how this initiative has brought together thousands of volunteers and provided essential relief to communities around the world. Tune in and be inspired by the power of collective action and the motto, "Together we can." Apply to...
2025-03-2027 min
UNDERCURRENTSEp 29 - Together, we can! (Or, how an impossible mission keeps producing against all odds)On January 18, 2025, a brand new 10,000 square foot facility had its grand opening at the MCC Hub in New Hamburg, Ontario. Over 700 people of all ages including local dignitaries and politicians, came out to tour the place, eating bushels of popcorn, drinking gallons of coffee, and generally creating the most festive atmosphere you could imagine for the opening of an industrial canning facility. Why the excitement? Because this was MCC’s new Stationary Meat Cannery. We hear from Jon Lebold, Martin Rahn, and Dylan Yantzi about the early challenges, the recent challenges and how this project “kept drawing in m...
2025-03-2024 minUNDERCURRENTSEp 28 - Welcoming the stranger“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Matthew 25:35
There are 22 scriptures in the Bible about welcoming newcomers from another land, but it could be argued that none resonate with MCC as much as that verse from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. “I was a stranger and you welcomed me”. Follow along as MCC Ontario sponsors a refugee family for the first time.
Transcription here.
Discussion guide here.
Read the written story about the Salazar family and...
2024-11-0229 minUNDERCURRENTSEp 24 - (un)affordable housing, part 1We sit down with MCC's Ontario advocacy guru Greg deGroot-Maggetti as he breaks down our affordable housing crisis: where we are, how we got here, and three (of many) solutions.
Advocacy actions:
1. Say Yes to Fair Rents! - Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario - ACTO
2. Take Action: More Urgency on Housing Affordability - The National Housing Accord: A Multi-Sector Approach to Ending Canada’s Rental Housing Crisis
Comprehensive explanation of rent control:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/how-does-rent-control-in-ontario-work-1.6978670
Produced with support from Kindred Credit Unio...
2024-01-1328 min
UNDERCURRENTSEp 9: Merle's Story (Re-release)
"We must own the whole story." How a former residential school worker wrestles with his past and how his story challenges all of us beyond our good intentions. Powerful listening for all settlers on this land we call Canada.
Transcription can be found here.
Show notes:
National Indian Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419.
Kid’s Help Phone line 24/7: 1-800-668-6868
https://kidshelpphone.ca/
Merle Nisly’s reaction to the uncovering of 215 Indigenous children in Kamloops. https://mnisly.com/the-impact-of-215/
Nati...
2023-09-2736 min
Hagar's VoiceSeason 2, Episode 2: Alexa BarkleyA HUGE thank you to Alexa Barkley for her encouragement and wisdom. She has provided some resources and references that you might find helpful:Here is the article that tells a few more/different details of Alexa's storyAlexa's correspondence with the Canadian Baptists of Ontario & Quebec (CBOQ)demonstrates very typical behavior for organizations that are lacking trauma-informed care principles and are oriented around a desire to protect the institution instead of orienting around making the situation right. This correspondence also demonstrates the effort so many survivors go to in order to 1) be heard, 2) be gr...
2023-06-231h 00
Relief, development and podcastA conversation with Malcolm Gladwell We’re taking a break from the usual programming to bring you an episode from our sibling podcast Undercurrents, produced by MCC Ontario and hosted by the very wonderful Ken Ogasawara. In this episode, Ken speaks with best-selling author, public speaker and podcaster Malcolm Gladwell. They cover a lot of ground—from pacifism, to soccer, climate change and more. This episode has been edited for length. Full transcript available here: https://mcc.org/sites/mcc.org/files/media/rdp_episode_41-malcolm_gladwell_0.pdf
2023-03-1638 min
At The Mic / Au microRisk Management: An Essential Tool for ResilienceOver the multi-year stretch of COVID-19, the global pandemic has shaken, threatened, and challenged how the arts, culture and heritage sector operates, and how it sees risk management as an essential tool for optimizing our contribution, our impact. Consultants have been essential to supporting – often leading – the learning curve the sector has experienced.
Active as trainer, consultant, educator and leader, Jerry Smith established the professional theatre training program at Humber College, and their post-diploma certificate program in Arts Administration. His experience includes a wide range of leadership roles on arts and culture boards in the Greater Toronto Area...
2023-01-1129 min
At The Mic / Au microRisk Management: An Essential Tool for ResilienceOver the multi-year stretch of COVID-19, the global pandemic has shaken, threatened, and challenged how the arts, culture and heritage sector operates, and how it sees risk management as an essential tool for optimizing our contribution, our impact. Consultants have been essential to supporting – often leading – the learning curve the sector has experienced.
Active as trainer, consultant, educator and leader, Jerry Smith established the professional theatre training program at Humber College, and their post-diploma certificate program in Arts Administration. His experience includes a wide range of leadership roles on arts and culture boards in the Greater Toronto Area...
2023-01-1129 min
At The Mic / Au microRisk Management: An Essential Tool for ResilienceOver the multi-year stretch of COVID-19, the global pandemic has shaken, threatened, and challenged how the arts, culture and heritage sector operates, and how it sees risk management as an essential tool for optimizing our contribution, our impact. Consultants have been essential to supporting – often leading – the learning curve the sector has experienced.
Active as trainer, consultant, educator and leader, Jerry Smith established the professional theatre training program at Humber College, and their post-diploma certificate program in Arts Administration. His experience includes a wide range of leadership roles on arts and culture boards in the Greater Toronto Area...
2023-01-1100 min
The Rodgers BriefEmergency Act Inq., Notwithstanding Clause in Ontario, Covid-19 Inquiry, and Lisa Banfield LawsuitThis week on the Rodgers Brief, I analyze the major law-related news stories of the week. The main topics this episode are; 1. The Emergency Act Inquiry in Ottawa. This week the protest 'leaders' take the stand, seemingly to show themselves as disorganized and non-violent. 2. The Ontario government has announced that it will use the Notwithstanding Clause in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to stop a strike from happening in the school system. 3. A group of private citizens is trying to organize what they call the National Citizens Inquiry, which would look into the government response to the Covid-19 pa...
2022-11-0634 min
Milk Carton CasesNicholas Adamson & Mariah SanchezHello listeners,we're back with our 1st episode of season 4! This episode begins with another Ontario case of a 29 year old man by the name of Nicholas Adamson who went missing from Saint Catharine's area on March 17th , 2022. Kristina covers the case of 13 year old Mariah Sanchez who went missing from Bronx, New York on April 12th, 2022.
Anyone with information regarding Nicholas Adamson's case is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service: 905-688-4111 or Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS(8477). Anyone with information on Mariah Sanchez' case is asked to call NYPD‘s Crime Stoppers- 1800-577-TIPS (8477).
Associated links & sour...
2022-10-0627 min
Milk Carton CasesWilliam Mark Alley & Jonathan (Jon) RileyEpisode 22. Kristina’s case this month comes from the state of North Carolina when 33 year old William Mark Alley goes missing after a shift at work. I cover another Ontario case of a missing man by the name of Jonathan Riley whose disappearance leads to possible connections to a notorious serial killer.
Anyone with information on William Mark Alley is asked to call Davidson County Sheriff's Department at 336-242-2105 or 336-242-2123. Indian River County Sheriff's Office 772-978-6120. If you have information on Jon Riley’s case please contact the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Meaford at 519-538-1220...
2022-04-0749 minMilk Carton CasesAssunta Susy Tomassi & Elnaz HajtamiriEpisode 21. Kristina’s case brings us to Florida when a 73 year old woman with dementia by the name of Assunta Susy Tomassi goes missing. I cover a very recent case that happened in the province of Ontario where a 37 year old woman by the name of Elnaz Hajtamiri was abducted and went missing under very bizarre circumstances.
Anyone with information on Assunta Susy Tomassi is asked to call Indian River County Sheriff's Office 772-978-6120. The family is offering $20,000 for her return and $10,000 for information. If you have any information on Elnaz Hajtamiri’s case please contact the dedicated tip line...
2022-03-0328 min
Milk Carton CasesTaaliba Islam & Jessica HeppnerFor our 16th episode this week we have a guest listener & speaker from Montreal, Quebec by the name of Michelle! Also to add to the excitement Kristina starts us off instead of Sheena and brings us to Fort Worth, Texas to tell us about two young women by the names of Taalibah Islam and Typhenie Johnson who go missing under similar circumstances. Sheena takes us to Newfoundland & Labrador to retell the story of a missing 21 year old woman, Jessica Heppner of Ontario.
Anyone with information on Taaliba Islam is asked to call Fort Worth Police Department at 817-392-4442. Anyone...
2021-10-2058 min
Milk Carton CasesLennox Grant & Arianna FittsFor our eighth episode of Milk Carton Cases, we go over the case of then 16-year-old Lennox Grant of Ontario & 2-year-old Arianna Fitts of San Francisco. We also have a special shout-out at the end of this episode so stay tuned to hear it- believe me, you want to! Check out our Twitter for more photos related to today's episode.
*Anyone with information on Lennox’s case can call Toronto Police Service at 1-416-808-2222 or 1-416-222-8477 or submit your tip to tips@mcsc.ca & 222tips.com. Anyone with information on Arianna’s case can call the San F...
2021-05-0443 minUNDERCURRENTSEp 4: Radical AcceptanceRestaurants and restorative justice. Shame vs accountability. And what it takes to be a bridge from prison to community.
Links:
Restorative Justice (RJ) program at MCC in Ontario: mcco.ca/rj
Faith Community Re-integration Program (FCRP) is a program funded by Correctional Service Canada.
Credits:
Theme song and other original music from Brian MacMillan.
Artwork by Jesse Bergen.
Licensed music from deWolfe Music.
Sponsored by Kindred Credit Union.
Leave us a message at podcast@mcco.ca or 519-745-8458 ext 233. We w...
2020-05-0614 minUNDERCURRENTSIntroducing: UndercurrentsWelcome to MCC Ontario's first podcast!
Undercurrents is an experiment - a new way of sharing the stories we are privileged to hear through our work. From starting a new life after prison, to piano lessons in a new world, we hear from program participants, volunteers, staff, and others, who face each day with courage and hope.
Most of the stories will be from our local programs here in Ontario but we may occasionally jump out to stories from across Canada or even an internationally story if we can wrangle it.
Season 1 drops...
2020-04-0401 min
In The Country with Dave WoodsInterview with Lauren MayellBorn in Calgary and raised in Thunder Bay, Lauren Mayell's entry into Country music quickly occurred while accompanying her grandparents – highly sought after musicians in their own right – to their various and many, Eastern Ontario live performances. Encouraged by her “Pure Country” belt buckle-wearing grandfather to sing, Lauren did, and she hasn’t stopped. Through the support and love of her family, the eventual loss of her beloved grandparents, and facilitating a promise in obtaining a University degree, Lauren’s commitment to country music remained unwavering. Nominated for Alberta Country Music Association’s Female Country Artist of the Year (2012, 2014-15), Lauren was also...
2016-06-1033 min
Interview with Lauren MayellBorn in Calgary and raised in Thunder Bay, Lauren Mayell's entry into Country music quickly occurred while accompanying her grandparents – highly sought after musicians in their own right – to their various and many, Eastern Ontario live performances. Encouraged by her “Pure Country” belt buckle-wearing grandfather to sing, Lauren did, and she hasn’t stopped. Through the support and love of her family, the eventual loss of her beloved grandparents, and facilitating a promise in obtaining a University degree, Lauren’s commitment to country music remained unwavering.
Nominated for Alberta Country Music Association’s Female Country Artist of the Year (2012, 2014-15), Lauren was also...
2016-06-1034 min
In The Country with Dave WoodsIn The Country July SpecialCarleton Place, Ontario Country artist BREA LAWRENSON'S collection of songs reflects her own personal experiences and aspirations. Her musical career has taken her across Canada, and to London, UK. She frequently travels to Nashville to write and record. Brea has released several popular singles to country radio: Honey, With You Whiskey and Bottom Of The Bottle. Her new single Hell On High Heels is being released on July 8th. Spend one night out on the town with singer/songwriter/guitarist DAN ARNOLD (from Saskatchewan, now living in Alberta) and you'll find that there isn't a word of a lie in any of his ly...
2014-07-0359 min
In The Country July SpecialCarleton Place, Ontario Country artist BREA LAWRENSON'S collection of songs reflects her own personal experiences and aspirations. Her musical career has taken her across Canada, and to London, UK. She frequently travels to Nashville to write and record. Brea has released several popular singles to country radio: Honey, With You Whiskey and Bottom Of The Bottle. Her new single Hell On High Heels is being released on July 8th.
Spend one night out on the town with singer/songwriter/guitarist DAN ARNOLD (from Saskatchewan, now living in Alberta) and you'll find that there isn't a word of a lie in any of his ly...
2014-07-0300 min