Yxe Underground

There's nothing like a compelling story to prove a point. That is certainly the case in this episode of YXE Underground which focuses on the work being done at the Global Gathering Place in Saskatoon. The stories shared in this episode will make you realize the important work being done at the Global Gathering Place in helping newcomers and refugees settle into their new lives in our city.Afton Tolley and Sol Barrones are the featured guests. I have known Afton for several years. She is the Program Coordinator and has been with the Global Gathering Place for 11 years. Afton has seen her organization adapt and grow as Saskatoon has become more diverse. She is also seeing more local businesses realize the potential when it comes to hiring newcomers. Sol was once a client of the Global Gathering Place. She and her family arrived from Mexico 10 years ago. A lawyer by trade, Sol attended classes at the Global Gathering Place to improve her English. She quickly fell in love with the sense of community present in th

Begin a conversation with Julia Holliday-Scott and you'll quickly notice a few things: She is always looking to help people who need it the most, which makes her a perfect fit as Support Services Coordinator for AIDS Saskatoon. She is also very articulate and can raise several compelling arguments and opinions in the span of a few seconds. She definitely kept me on my toes during our conversation at the new headquarters for AIDS Saskatoon on 20th Street!I wanted to learn more about the organization and specifically the Safe Consumption Site. Julia's came highly recommended by Jessica Fisher from OUT Saskatoon (who was featured in an earlier episode of YXE Underground) and it's easy to see why. Julia's passion for helping our city's most vulnerable is inspiring. Her work ethic and kindness make her well-suited to help those people who visit the drop-in centre at AIDS Saskatoon seeking advice and guidance. We cover a lot of ground in our conversation. Julia explains why our city needs a Safe Consumption Site an

In June, I received an email from Lauryn Kronick, who is the Education and Prevention Coordinator at AIDS Saskatoon. They asked if I wanted to take part in National HIV Testing Day, which is on June 27th. My first thought was yes, of course. HIV rates in Saskatchewan are incredibly high compared to the rest of the country. Maybe if I tweeted about it and did something for the podcast, people might learn something, was my thinking. But then I started to come up with reasons why I shouldn’t do the test. Many reasons. Reasons that, when I look back on it, I feel kind of embarrassed about. So, I called Lauryn and we talked. Actually, I talked a lot and she patiently listened. Lauryn is a good listener. A few weeks after our conversation, I met Lauryn and a lovely registered nurse named Mel at Saskatoon Sexual Health on 2nd Avenue to receive an HIV test. You are about to hear that test as well as a conversation with Lauryn about some of the fears I had. We also discuss the importance of testing and why this means

Spend five minutes with Bayani Trinidad and Forrest Eaglespeaker and several things become clear. One, they are passionate about their work. Two, they thrive on seeing people change and grow when it comes to their thoughts on Truth and Reconciliation. Three, they have way too much fun together!Bayani and Forrest work for a non-profit organization called Canadian Roots Exchange. It was formed in 2008 as a way to bring indigenous and non-indigenous youth together to work towards Reconciliation. In 2016, the organization opened an office in Saskatoon, which is where you will find Bayani and Forrest, working hard in their office at Saskatoon's The Two Twenty.The work Bayani and Forrest are doing when it comes to Truth and Reconciliation focuses on Saskatoon's youth. When I say youth, I mean mostly people who are university age. People who have learned about the horrors of Indian Residential School System in school and recognize the importance of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and now want to learn more

Matt Ingrouille wants to see change in Saskatoon when it comes to drug and addiction issues, and he realizes the best way to bring about this change is at the grassroots level. It's one of the reasons why Matt, a Constable with the Saskatoon Police Service, started the non-profit organization, Say Know. Say Know is a drug education project that is doing incredible work raising drug and addiction awareness in Saskatoon. The Say Know website states its mission is, "to tackle the illicit drug trade through education. For far too long, our society has been fighting gate wrong end of the war. It's time to reduce the demand of drugs, rather than focusing, wasted efforts, on the supply."Matt was kind enough to meet me in Riversdale on a hot July afternoon this past summer and we went talked about the current state of drugs and addictions while walking throughout the neighbourhood. Matt is articulate and passionate with his words. He also one of the most empathetic people I have ever met, and that comes through in th

Do you know where your food comes from? It’s a question Arlie LaRoche is very passionate in answering. Arlie and her family own and operator Farm One Forty, a holistically managed farm about twenty minutes southwest of Saskatoon. As Farm One Forty's website states, “we are a local, sustainable and natural choice for Saskatoon’s ethical eaters.” What stands out about Arlie is how passionate she is in educating people, not only in Saskatoon but across the province, about where their food comes from and how her animals are cared for. Arlie takes YXE Underground host Eric Anderson on a tour of her farm (storm free!) and discusses her love of animals, why she chooses to farm in a holisitc way, and how she copes when it's time to say goodbye to her cows, pigs, chickens and sheep. Arlie also explains what led her and her husband to open Odla, a new restaurant in Saskatoon's Broadway neighbourhood. This episode also features insight on the Farm-to-Table movement currently taking place in Saskatoon and the province by

Janelle and I were really excited to visit Arlie LaRoche at her farm, Farm One Forty, southwest of Saskatoon last Thursday. Arlie is doing some really great things for Saskatoon's food and culinary scenes and she is a fantastic talker. We were also excited because the skies were really dynamic last Thursday, which would make for some great photographs (if you follow us on social media, you'll see some amazing pictures). There was a tornado watch in the area but the scariest looking clouds were to the northwest and we were heading southwest, so we thougth we were fine. We were wrong. In this episode, you'll hear how a massive storm grinds our interview with Arlie to a quick hault and how quickly a calm situation can drastically change. When I was listening to the tape of our Farm One Forty adventures last week, I knew I wanted to share it with you right away. So that's where the idea for this bonus episode came from. You'll also hear an update on Season Two of YXE Underground, which launches in September, and

Constable Derek Chesney has a way of communicating that makes him perfect for his job with the Saskatoon Police Service. It’s direct, respectful, and full of empathy. He credits his style from growing up on a ranch in southeast Saskatchewan surrounded by cowboys. “I got to listen to a lot of old guys BS back in the day, and they tell stories of humanity and people,” explains Chesney. The veteran police officer is a member of the Saskatoon Police Service’s Cultural Relations Unit. It’s job is to help forge relationships and build connections between the police force and different communities within the city. The unit started in the early 2000’s as an attempt to repair the disconnect between the indigenous population and the SPS. While that remains an important focus, Chesney says the scope of his work has changed thanks to Saskatoon’s growing diversity. This is the final episode of Season One. Thank you so much for listening, subscribing and supporting this local podcast. YXE Underground will return for Season

Michael McLachlan vividly remembers the moment he made the conscious decision to disconnect his mind and his body during his battle against cancer. It was two in the morning. He was on all fours on his hospital bed overlooking the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon. An aggressive form of cancer had invaded McLachlan’s central nervous system and formed a tumor at the base of his spine. “I had a conversation with myself, which was rather simple,” explained McLachlan. “My mind couldn’t take what was happening. So I made the separation between my body and my mind because I knew my body would be strong enough to take whatever it had to take, but upstairs I couldn’t do it. So I made a disconnect and then I couldn’t reconnect afterwards.” McLachlan was diagnosed on September 16th, 2016, with Non-Hodgkin’s Burkitt Lymphoma, an extremely aggressive form of cancer. The next day, he had surgery to remove the tumor on his spine. His battle left him cancer free but traumatized. Physically, McLachlan was fatigued and wo

Say the word CANCER and each of you will have something different come to mind. It might involve a loved one who had cancer or perhaps is going through treatments right now. When it comes to cancer care, there are gaps in the system, but there are also people in Saskatoon working hard to fill in those gaps. Part One of Episode 12 introduces you to three of these individuals. Kim Swetecki is a cancer survivor and co-hosts a support group called Chai and Chat. Jennifer Fisher is a registered dietitian at the Saskatoon Cancer Centre and Nora Yeates is the CEO of the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan.. They share their stories and insights with Eric and special co-host, Amy Smith Morris. Amy is a cancer survivor, advocate and author who shares her unique insights throughout the episode. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favourite podcast app. You can also stream episodes on Spotify or the website. Thank you for listening and don't forget to leave a review!

When Carrie Hart got the call that her son Lucas was accepted into the Little Tots program, she didn’t know what to do. “I remember that day. I was with my friend at The Forestry Farm. I was in the car and I think I started crying and then I probably did laps in my car because I was so excited. It was an instant sense of relief.” Relief because her son was about to get the help he needed to overcome some pretty big challenges. Lucas was diagnosed with autism shortly after turning two. Hart knew he needed a type of therapy that would allow him to catch up on the speech and social skills he was struggling to develop. She wanted her son in the Little Tots program because of its sterling reputation. Little Tots is an early intensive intervention program for children between 18 and 48 months. It is run by Autism Services of Saskatoon and provides one-on-one therapy for autistic children. It is also the only program of its kind in Saskatchewan. This episode explores the Little Tots program through Lucas. Eric inter

A veterinarian feeling overworked due to a difficult caseload. A student feeling overwhelmed with exams. A family feeling crushed because of the loss of their pet. All are scenarios Erin Wasson confronts at the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine. Wasson is a social worker at the WCVM. She provides counselling services to students, faculty and staff, as well as clients who are using the College’s small and animal clinics. It’s an uncommon position within the veterinary and animal science world, but an important one as studies are now showing the mental health challenges veterinarians and animal protection workers face. “I think a lot of veterinarians and animal protection officers will tell you that they don’t have a lot of people that they can talk about their day with that wants to hear about their day,” Wasson explains in the episode. Wasson discusses the mental health challenges veterinarians encounter in their jobs, how she is able to balance personal and professional life

“My name is Jessica Fisher and I am a cisgender, queer woman who is both Metis and a settler.” That is how Jessica Fisher introduces herself to elementary and high school students in Saskatoon and around the province. Fisher works with OUTSaskatoon, bringing gender and sexual diversity education to students, teachers and administrators. She does this by explaining the building blocks of identity, what terms like bisexual and transsexual mean, and highlighting the negative impacts of homophobia. “The purpose of my presentation is to help folks understand that their language and their actions have consequences. That can be positive, where people feel comfortable to say and be who they are, or they can be negative consequences -- that is, when people are afraid to exist in the world as they are.” I feel very lucky to have met Jessica. She taught me a lot during our conversation and I know you will connect with her engaging and caring nature. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast, give it a rating, and feel f

Saskatoon's EcoQuest Program is a grade eight class that uses nature in place of a traditional classroom. This unique outdoor education program is full of incredible students who are learning to see the world around them in new ways. In Part Two of Episode Eight, Eric spends a very cold December day exploring Saskatoon with the 28 students that make up the EcoQuest class. The students walk more than 15 kilometres, from The Lighthouse Shelter and Saskatoon Farmer's Market, to the Meewasin Valley river trails, learning what services make up a healthy community. They also share what skills they have learned in the program and how it's allowing them to grow into future leaders in our community. These students are hard working, insightful and a lot of fun to be around. They also have two fantastic teachers that put them in situations to succeed and learn on their own. Subscribe and download this episode and take an entertaining trek through Saskatoon with this year's EcoQuest class.

When you think of a typical grade 8 classroom, you probably envision a space filled with rows of desks and a blackboard at the front of the room. Saskatoon's EcoQuest class is definitely not your typical classroom. EcoQuest brings 28 grade 8 students together from across the city and allows them to learn in the natural world. It's an outdoor experiential program that not only encourages students to embrace the natural world, but gives them the opportunity to grow as individuals and especially as leaders. In part one of Episode Eight, Eric speaks with Tyler Rittinger, who has been teaching the EcoQuest program for the past eight years. He also meets some of the students who are embracing this unique opportunity. Part two will follow the students as they weave their way through Saskatoon working on an assignment. It will drop on January 17th. Thank you for listening and remember to subscribe to YXE Underground on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your favourite podcasts.

Scott Dicks is a very busy man. The Saskatoon chef has worked in some of the finest restaurants in Western Canada and learned from award winning chefs. Now, Chef Scotty is giving back to Saskatoon's food scene by consulting with local businesses like Collective Coffee and 9 Mile Brewery, teaching cooking classes at The Local Kitchen, and even cooking for people in their homes. Scotty believes that food and cooking should bring people together and he's spreading his joy and passion throughout Saskatoon one meal at a time. In Episode Seven of YXE Underground, Scott sits down with Eric to explain how he ended up in Saskatoon, why he loves the growing food scene in our city and how he's become a better chef thanks to cooking for people in their homes. Scott also explains why now is the perfect time for him to get back into Saskatoon's restaurant scene.

I take a lot of pride in being the most enthusiastic person in a room. But when I meet Erin McCormick for the first time in her riding arena, I quickly realize that I don’t hold a candle next to her. Erin owns Therapeutic Equilibrium Riding. Every week, she teaches 110 children and adults with varying degrees of physical and cognitive challenges therapeutic horseback riding. In this episode, Erin explains the incredible benefits of horseback riding therapy and where her passion comes from. She also talks about the sacrifices she has made as a woman entrepreneur and what she loves most about horses. After hearing our conversation, you'll probably be left with one question... "Why aren't we all riding horses?" Thanks for listening... Eric

Kenton Lysak is a Senior Interpreter for Saskatoon's Meewasin Valley Authority and a lover of all things nature. All Kenton wants to do is teach you about the Meewasin Valley's natural beauty, and he will do it in a way that will inspire to go out and explore! He is also a brand new father. In this episode of YXE Underground, Kenton takes host Eric Anderson to Peggy McKercher Conservation Area and describes how Saskatoon is walking a tightrope between urban growth and protecting sensitive ecosystems. Kenton also explains where his love of the natural world came from and how his new son Benjamin has changed his career for the better.

Episode Four of YXE Underground focuses on a pair Saskatoon women who are helping put the city on the map. Aviva Kohen is Tourism Saskatoon's Director of Media and has been working incredibly hard to get Saskatoon national and international attention. DonnaLyn Thorsteinson helps Saskatoon entrepreneurs achieve their goals through her work with SREDA and the Square One program. Eric sits down with Aviva and DonnaLyn to find out why they are so passionate about their careers and how they balance work and family life. You can subscribe to YXE Underground on Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Stitcher. You can also stream and download episodes on the website.

Communication is something most people take for granted. Kara Broks helps people in Saskatoon who struggle to express themselves, especially when it comes to verbal communication. She is a speech pathologist and owner of the The Speech Language Network. In this episode of YXE Underground, Eric visits Kara at The Speech Language Network to learn more about the work she does with people of all ages in Saskatoon and why it's so important. Kara shares some incredibly heartfelt stories of challenging cases and why she continues to cheer for her clients long after they say goodbye.