SEASON THREE, EPISODE SIX
A Mover and Shaker
in Scarborough
Krissan Veerasingam is changing
the face of his neighbourhood
You need a good pair of running shoes to keep up with Krissan Veerasingam. He helped launch the Scarborough Repair Café where residents can bring a multitude of household items for repair, free of charge. He is also an advocate for public transit and supports numerous environmental initiatives. As if this wasn't enough, he finds time to promote ethnic grocery stores and restaurants throughout Scarborough. And he does all this will great enthusiasm and aplomb. Residents are fortunate to have him in their corner.
Listen to the podcast at
hiddengemstoronto.buzzsprout.com
Visit The Repair Café at
Visit the Scarborough Environmental Association at
The Repair Café in action.
EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY...
for Toronto's esteemed Photo Laureate,
Nadya Kwandibens.
SEASON THREE, EPISODE FIVE
Nadya brings an indigenous perspective to her award-winning photography. In this podcast you will learn that it isn't just her technical ability with the camera that makes her work so special, it's her gentle nature and empathy for her subjects that allows her to build a trust with people and that is evident in all her portraits. As she likes to say: "The camera is an extension of my arm".
Listen to the podcast at
hiddengemstoronto.buzzsprout.com
See more of Nadya's work at
Visit Derek Miller's site at
'Concrete Indians', Rosary Spence, Toronto, ON, May 2010
Dr. Nel Wieman from Mishi-Baawitigong First Nation, photographed on Unceded xʷməθkwəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh & Səlilwətaʔɬ Territories,
January 2023
Toronto Standing Up With Standing Rock: Solidarity March, Toronto, ON, November 5, 2016
YOU DO WHAT FOR A LIVING?
The "Clock Guy" who keeps Toronto ticking!
SEASON 3, EPISODE 4
In this second episode of our series called "You do what for a living?" we introduce you to John Scott, affectionately known as the Clock Guy in Toronto. John is responsible for keeping many of our city's tower clocks running smoothly and chiming on time. John gives us a master class on how gems such as the Old City Hall tower clock operate.
After listening to John, you will be left with a whole new appreciation of this scientific wonder known as the tower clock.
Listen to the podcast at
hiddengemstoronto.buzzsprout.com
To learn more visit
"YOU DO WHAT FOR A LIVING?"
Tales from inside a Mascot!
SEASON 3, EPISODE 3
In this podcast we launch the first episode of our occasional series about people who have interesting, if somewhat unusual occupations. And Austin Emery certainly fits the bill. Over his lifetime, Austin has attended more than 500 events dressed as a mascot. He has worn every costume you can imagine. But wait; there's more! In addition to being a mascot, he also is an accomplished sculptor who invites complete novices into his backyard and allows them to create a small sculpture which he then adapts to a larger finished piece that will occupy a public space in the community. By any measure, he is a cherished hidden gem.
Listen to the podcast at
hiddengemstoronto.buzzsprout.com
Visit JoJoFun at
And learn more about Austin at
OPERATION UKRAINE: TREATING VICTIMS OF WAR
SEASON 3, EPISODE 2
Julia Malaniy (left) and Marg Gadke (right) are part of a Canadian team of incredibly skilled medical professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to treat those severely injured in Russia's unprovoked war on Ukraine. Many of the patients are innocent civilians. We talk to them about their most recent excursion where in one week alone, the team performed 32 complex surgeries which included 105 procedures. It is a heartbreaking yet heartwarming story of human compassion and people making a difference.
Listen to the podcast at
hiddengemstoronto.buzzsprout.com
Visit Canada Ukraine Surgical Aid Program - CUSAP at
Visit Canada-Ukraine Foundation - CUF at
Our team from the September 2023 mission in Poland
Photo: Andrey Syrko, CUSAP
Operating room nurses
Photo: Andrey Syrko, CUSAP
Dr. Antonyshyn
Photo: Andrey Syrko, CUSAP
Marge and another nurse - Mirna - saying goodbye to patients
Photo: Andrey Syrko, CUSAP
JACQUIE'S THREE R'S:
REUSE, REFILL, REPEAT
SEASON 3, EPISODE 1
Jacquie Rushlow is on a mission! She is determined to rid the world of single-use plastic, one community at a time. She gave up a very successful TV production career to work full-time on accomplishing this goal. In a few short years, she has opened four outlets called The Keep Refillery, where people can bring in old plastic containers and refill them with an array of everyday, household products. And for Jacquie this is just the beginning. She is smart, inventive, and relentless in her pursuit. In this episode, she talks about her experience to date and what she has planned moving forward. She is a force.
Listen to the podcast at
hiddengemstoronto.buzzsprout.com
Visit The Keep Refillery at
JACQUIE RUSHLOW
CEO, The Keep Refillery
HOST TOM SCANLAN
In front of the Toronto store