IDEAA-nomics (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Anti-Racism)

In this episode Niha talks to Mama Lawson. She shares her story of being born into a large family, where she was the seventh child. Most of her childhood was spent in Oregon, where she faced much adversity as they were the first family of color in the town. She was a teacher for over 30 years and continues to use her talent to uplift and encourage. She is currently traveling the wo

Join us as we talk to Ottawa-born singer-songwriter Nambi! She has become one of her city’s most darling and well-respected voices. She talks to Niha and Gabriel about her music journey, having a family, her inspirations and the meaning and importance of building a community. On Jan 17 2025, NAMBI released her EP “latebloomer vol. 1” (Produced by Sammae). The seven-track EP,

Part 2 of the Story of Connor Smithers-Mapp sees Connor sharing his thoughts on diversity readiness, system racism and the convergence of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. Our regular host Niha Shazad is joined by Gabriel Cormier n a conversation with Connor Smithers-Mapp.

Join us today as Connor Smithers-Mapp shares his story of growing up as a black child in Nova Scotia - in a time where communities pooled money together and had to choose one black child to send off to a better high school to how his parents worked several jobs, found time to be activists and make a difference for their community. Our regular host Niha Shahzad is joined by Gabrie

Curious about what a Minister thinks of Kendrick's new album, Jamie Foxx, and Kevin Hart? Find the answers in this episode of the IDEAA-nomics podcast! Niha Shahzad, Host and Sr. Director of the Canadian Center for Women's Empowerment, speaks with the ⁠Hon. Minister Marci Ien,⁠ Minister of Women, Gender Equality and Youth about Gender-Based Violence, Economic Abuse, importantly

In this episode, Rene Fortier asks Niha Shahzad about her work as a Senior Director for the national non-profit, the Canadian Center for Women's Empowerment. She talks about the importance of raising awareness about Domestic Economic Abuse, a form of abuse that affects 1 out of 3 women in Canada. Niha also discusses the production of an original song by the CCFWE, for their annual

Comedian and social worker, Jesse Singh a.k.a. the Punjabi Timbit talks to us about comedy in Canada, his life as a social worker, and his experience in an immigrant family growing up at Jane and Finch in Toronto. In this funny and heartfelt episode, Jesse talks about the nature of comedy in Canada and the South Asian community. He talks about his story of being in a household of a

Niha speaks to Sebastien N'Singi, Legal Counsel at the Department of Justice working at the Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Secretariat. His conviction for fighting wrongdoing did not start at the public service. Rather a career in Government is an outcome of his constant dedication to advocate for what is right, even if it threatened his life. While at university in the 1970s,

This special episode is a rebroadcast of a webinar hosted by Policy Horizons Canada, during Futures Week 2024. This webinar was recorded on May 7, 2024, with the introduction by Kristel Van der Elst, Director General of Policy Horizons Canada. The episode is about witnessing Indigenous perspectives on the future and how they influence our relationships to work, time, each other and

In this episode you'll hear Niha Shahzad speak to Denise Wong, Director of Emerging Priorities at Natural Resources Canada about her journey navigating her public service career. After achieving a hard-won accomplishment of completing an EX-01 Director-level competition, Denise faced a setback in her career. She took time to introspect and reaffirm what it was that she wanted t