UNBeknownst – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Kjeld Mizpah “KJ” Conyers-Steede (BA’18) is director of strategy and partnerships for Inspiring Communities, a nonprofit working to build collaborative relationships for social change in Atlantic Canada. 

A UNB political science alum, KJ is a seasoned systems thinker with a strong focus on areas such as community-centric strategic planning, human-centered design, organizational culture, and governance reviews. From executive director of the New Brunswick Student Alliance to operations manager at the Spring Garden Area Business Association, to director of change management for Hockey Nova Scotia, to his recent work on projects that drive community-centric innovation, KJ has never backed away from big challenges. In fact, he excels at crafting solutions for what he refers to as the “big hairy policy challenges” and collaborating on community projects that tackle the most complex and pressing issues in society.  

Host Katie Davey (BA’17) chats KJ about a wide range of challenges and solutions for Atlantic Canadian communities. 

In this episode:   

• The journey for KJ from Bermuda to New Brunswick 

• Regional and community collaboration 

• The opportunity for rural economic development in Atlantic Canada 

• Why KJ is running for Mayor of his regional community in Nova Scotia 

• How communities need to prepare for climate change, especially in rural areas of Atlantic Canada 

• How community-centric innovation and creating ecosystems can lead to problem-solving 

• How policy development needs to be built outside of election cycles, and how it can be done by empowering people and community champions. 

• How academic research is allowing KJ to test social incubation projects.  

Thanks to:   

• Our alumni host, Katie Davey 

• Music by alumni artist, Beats of Burden  

• Our alumni Affinity Partners, TD Insurance and Manulife 

  
To listen to past episodes of UNBeknownst and for more info on the podcast, the hosts and how to subscribe to new episode alerts, visit our website. 

Josh LeBrun (BBA’17) is Executive Director of 12 Neighbours, the tiny-home affordable housing community in Fredericton which has seen success – and global admiration – over the past couple of years. Now complete at 96 homes, the community-focused organization has turned its attention to social enterprise, providing low-barrier, progressive employment opportunities for the people it serves.  

Josh has a passion for social enterprise, entrepreneurship and meaningful contribution. He has a background in both business and design, and co-founded his own business before turning his attention to 12 Neighbours. 

In this episode:   

• Josh’s background and how he started working with his father, Marcel LeBrun, on the 12 Neighbours enterprise. 

• The three phases of 12 Neighbours and the goal of doing good in the community. 

• What it’s like working with family. 

• The people, profit, planet model of social business. 

• The challenges of running a social enterprise at the ground level.  

• How to pay attention and market social enterprise more broadly.  

• The importance of being able to work within a team.  

Links and resources:   

• Josh’s LinkedIn 

• 12 Neighbours 

• UNB Pond-Deshpande Centre 

• UNB TME program 

Thanks to:   

• Our alumni host, Katie Davey 

• Music by alumni artist, Beats of Burden  

• Our alumni Affinity Partners, TD Insurance and Manulife 

  
To listen to past episodes of UNBeknownst and for more info on the podcast, the hosts and how to subscribe to new episode alerts, visit our website. 

Barbara Wasson (BScCS’82) is the director for SLATE - The Science of Learning and Technology, the Norwegian national centre for learning analytics. She is one of the founders of Kaleidoscope, a European Network of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning and has been the principal researcher on numerous Norwegian and international projects. She is also member of the Norwegian Ministry of Education’s Expert group on Learning Analytics and the Council of Europe Expert Group on AI in Education.  

Barbara is passionate about learning analytics, AI and education, learning games, e-assessment, teacher inquiry, and data literacy. Host Katie Davey chats with her about the future of data and technology in learning design. 

In this episode:   

• Barbara’s experience growing up around computers at UNB and how she got into learning analytics and AI 

• Policy around learning analytics and AI in the classroom and how privacy and ethics policy is crucial.  

• How much data can we use to aid in learning without harming children’s privacy? 

• The astounding amount of important data all around us, and the dilemmas this causes for teaching and learning in schools. 

• The importance of data literacy and AI and how to prepare people for how AI will be a part of daily life soon. 

• How to learn with AI, and empowering students at an early age to use technology and AI.  

• Who decides what knowledge is? How does that affect creativity and innovation? 

• Barbara’s thoughts on future trends in technology in learning. 

Links and resources:  

• The story of the Wasson family and computer science at UNB  

• University of Bergen  

• AI and Education paper by Barbara Wasson 

Thanks to:   

• Our alumni host, Katie Davey 

• Music by alumni artist, Beats of Burden  

• Our alumni Affinity Partners, TD Insurance and Manulife 

  
To listen to UNBeknownst and for more info on the podcast, the hosts and how to subscribe to new episode alerts, visit our website. 

Sara Taaffe is a senior project manager with the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership in London, England. After graduating with a leadership degree from UNB’s Renaissance College, Sara began applying her passion for social innovation in Atlantic Canada’s technology sector, but after four years began to feel disillusioned with the push for economic growth without putting value on sustainability, ethics, local business and consumer experience. She disconnected off-grid and began to understand the significant agency that individuals hold in creating positive changes through our day-to-day decisions. Indeed, the compounding effect of these decisions has tremendous influence on that of the wider economy. Now working in nature-related finance at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, she explores the intersection of economic progress and sustainability to better understand how to synergize the two.

In this episode:   

• Sara’s experience diverting from the corporate world to go off-grid for three years. 

• What are the roles of consumers vs corporations and governments and other stakeholders in driving the change that’s needed for a sustainable economy? 

• What nature-related finance means. 

• How nature and climate are showing up as macroeconomic risks with various financial institutions.

• What consumers and citizens CAN do to help and why Sara is optimistic for our future. 

Links and resources:   

• Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership 

• UNB Renaissance College 

• London School of Economics 

Thanks to:   

• Our alumni host, Katie Davey 

• Music by alumni artist, Beats of Burden  

• Our alumni Affinity Partners, TD Insurance and Manulife 

  
To listen to UNBeknownst and for more info on the podcast, the hosts and how to subscribe to new episode alerts, visit our website. 

Mike Corey (BSc’08) is a biology graduate turned travel host who never turns down an adventure. His curiosity has sent him searching out cultures, creatures, and locations that most people avoid – with the aim of facing – and even chasing – fear. This intense passion has led him to grow his YouTube Channel “Fearless & Far” to over 2M subscribers, receive 2 Emmy nominations for his Adventure Travel TV program "Uncharted Adventure", and an Ambie nomination for his podcast "Against the Odds". 

Mike’s career began after receiving his Bachelor of Science from UNB, then backpacking the world for five years volunteering as a research assistant for scientists studying ocean conservation. Bringing a camera along for these trips allowed him to capture the material he needed to win several international travel video competitions and begin his YouTube Channel.  

Now a top travel influencer, Mike enjoys teaching others how to face their fears to become happier.

In this episode:   

• The adventure that gave Mike the travel bug and what made him realize the world is gentler than we think. 

• How his obsession with animals and nature turned into a passion for people. 

• Lessons he’s learned from people he’s met in his exotic travels. 

• Why humans need a challenge and purpose to thrive. 

• What fearlessness and conquering fear actually means. 

• The quiet fears that sneak up on you. 

• He says “fear is the compass” is his life and directs him in his actions. 

• How everyone can start to face their fears. 

• The importance of stories – and how they’re told everywhere. 

Where to listen:  

• Spotify  

• Apple Podcasts  

• Libsyn  

• Google Podcasts  

Links and resources:   

• Fearless and Far 

• Mike’s YouTube channel 

• Mike’s Instagram 

Thanks to:   

• Our alumni host, Katie Davey 

• Music by alumni artist, Beats of Burden  

• Our alumni Affinity Partners, TD Insurance and Manulife 

  
To listen to UNBeknownst and for more info on the podcast, the hosts and how to subscribe to new episode alerts, visit our website. 

Dr. Teresa Fowler (MEd’11) is a researcher who is diving into the sexism, misogyny and hypermasculinity of hockey in Canada and who is now working directly with Hockey Canada to try to correct the enduring problems. She is an assistant professor at Concordia University of Edmonton in the faculty of education. Her research focuses on critical white masculinities and the implications of masculinity on men's mental health in hockey culture as well as anti-colonial pedagogic approaches to teacher education. She received her Master of Education from UNB and PhD from the University of Calgary, and she has over 15 years of professional experience in K-12 education in the areas of guidance and counselling, mental health services, and Indigenous education. Teresa is a member of Scholars Against Abuse in Canadian Sport that have partnered with Center for Children’s Rights to push for a judicial inquiry into the sport.  

In this episode:   

• Teresa’s family background and how she began noticing indifferences in the culture of young men in hockey 

• What is causing harm to young hockey players' identities and mental health 

• Shifting the culture of hockey away from aggression and back to skills and competition.  

• How silence is hard to break.  

• Our research shows that sexisim in hockey culture is as normal as the air they breathe.  

• Shocking examples of sexism grooming in young hockey culture in Canada. 

• Her work with Hockey Canada to help them make the right changes. 

• How Hockey Canada can take the lead and make a shift nationwide and why that’s important for all sports. 

• Harassment experienced for doing this kind of work. 

• How white supremacy is tied to misogyny in hockey in Canada. 

• The introduction of white male love into men’s hockey in the country. 

• How to begin making positive changes in toxic masculine culture.  

• How men’s equality is important in the conversation.  

• The status of an inquiry in sport in Canada, and Teresa’s recommendation at the inquiry to move sport away from Heritage Canada into Health.  

Links and resources:   

• Article on Dr. Fowler’s research 

• Info from the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage (CHPC) on Hockey Canada  

Thanks to:   

• Our alumni host, Katie Davey 

• Music by alumni artist, Beats of Burden  

• Our alumni Affinity Partners, TD Insurance and Manulife 

  
To listen to UNBeknownst and for more info on the podcast, the hosts and how to subscribe to new episode alerts, visit our website 

Lea Nicholas-MacKenzie (BA’91) is a trailblazer for Indigenous rights: she’s the former Special Advisor for Indigenous Issues to the UN, former Chief of Staff to then Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, and past Chief of Staff to the National Chief at the Assembly of First Nations. She also served as Director of Aboriginal Participation and Chief of Protocol for the Four Host First Nations during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Lea is a member of the Wəlastəkwey Nation at Tobique, New Brunswick and holds a BA in Language and Linguistics UNB - and since then has gained extensive experience in international relations focused on the human rights of Indigenous Peoples. In 2021 she was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women.  

In this episode:   

-Lea’s family background and family role models – and how she learned that advocacy can make a difference

-Lea’s first roles and how she learned how the system worked 

-Her experience on and off for many years at the Assembly of First Nations, including Chief of Staff at age 27.  

-Her experience advocating at the United Nations. 

-What led to becoming a seasoned leader and ready to serve with Jody Wilson-Raybould in the Minister of Justice and Attorney General’s office, and her experience with that chance to make change. 

-Her principles of justice, integrity and truth telling and how they didn’t always mesh with the realities of politics 

-Her work today in human rights, governance and reconciliation 

-The Indigenous rights advancements that are giving her hope 

-Ideas for being an ally moving forward and how to further the Calls to Action 

-What Lea is optimistic about for the future 

Links and resources:   

Lea’s LinkedIn 

Thanks to:   

-Our alumni host, Katie Davey 

-Music by alumni artist, Beats of Burden  

-Our alumni Affinity Partners, TD Insurance and Manulife

To listen to UNBeknownst and for more info on the podcast, the hosts and how to subscribe to new episode alerts, visit our website 

Mark Leger (MA’11) was editor of Huddle, the popular Maritime online business news publication, from 2017 to early 2023, and was also director of news content for parent company Acadia Broadcasting, which owns and operates 15 radio stations in Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. A journalist for more than 25 years, Mark began his career as a reporter and editor with the Telegraph-Journal and went on to work for CBC Radio as a reporter and producer. An entrepreneur at heart, he has been involved in three start-up media companies in New Brunswick. He is a graduate of the Ryerson University journalism program and has a master’s in political science from UNB Saint John.

In this episode:   

• Mark’s path to journalism and startups – and his willingness to take risks 

• The good news approach to Huddle and why people crave positive stories that inspire action 

• The disappearance of local media and its effect on communities  

• Ideas on solutions for local journalism in the future 

• Thoughts on the CBC vs private media and shaky business models 

• Figuring out how to fund local journalism innovation for communities – and the idea of non-profit models 

• Podcasts as one part of the solution 

• Journalism as a core pillar of democracy 

Huddle 

Mark’s LinkedIn  

Thanks to:   

Our alumni host, Katie Davey 

Music by alumni artist, Beats of Burden  

Our alumni Affinity Partners, TD Insurance and Manulife 

To listen to UNBeknownst and for more info on the podcast, the hosts and how to subscribe to new episode alerts, visit our website 

Balarama Holness (MEd’16) is a former CFL athlete turned social entrepreneur, community organizer and anti-racism activist. A native of Montreal, he played professional football for the Montreal Alouettes, with whom he won the Grey Cup in 2010. He’s also well educated, having earned a Master’s in Education from the University of New Brunswick and a Bachelor of Civil Law and Juris Doctor from McGill University. In 2018, Balarama gained political notoriety by gaining support to force Montreal's municipal government to launch a public inquiry into systemic racism and discrimination in the city. In 2021, Balarama announced his run for Mayor of Montreal under a new, community-led political party, Movement Montreal. Now, he’s published a book that recounts his journey from an ashram in West Virginia to becoming a leader in Montreal committed to reshaping society as we know it.

In this episode:   

• His unusual upbringing and how he felt marginalized upon returning to Montreal. 

• How he got into football and how sports got him back on track.  

• Why his advanced education was his way to empower himself and his needs in society. 

• The step into politics and activism, and ideas for how citizens can press for true democracy and open access.  

• The tensions between Quebec and “Rest of Canada” (and Montreal) over discriminatory laws.  

• How he and others are pressing forward to eradicate racism in Montreal and beyond.  

Links and resources:   

Balarama Holness website 

His book, Eyes on the Horizon: My Journey Toward Justice 

Thanks to:   

Our alumni host, Katie Davey 

Music by alumni artist, Beats of Burden  

Our alumni Affinity Partners, TD Insurance and Manulife 

  
To listen to UNBeknownst and for more info on the podcast, the hosts and how to subscribe to new episode alerts, visit our website 

Ambassador Deborah Lyons (BA’71, DLitt'15) is a diplomat with 21 years of professional experience in political affairs, international cooperation and economic development. Her most recent assignment was as Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, having served prior to that as Ambassador of Canada to Israel and before that as Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Ms. Lyons has held several senior positions with Canada’s Department of Global Affairs, including as Deputy Ambassador at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, Assistant Deputy Minister for Strategic Policy and Planning and Chief Strategist, and directorships covering commercial relations, international finance and technology. She has also worked with Canada’s Department of Natural Resources and Privy Council Office and owned and managed an environmental consulting firm. Ms. Lyons is from Miramichi, New Brunswick and graduated from UNB in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. 

In this episode:   

• Deborah’s account of being in Afghanistan during an extremely challenging transition period of the American withdrawal of troops and takeover by the Taliban. 

• Why she’s such a fan of the United Nations and why she wanted to be in Afghanistan at that time.  

• The progress she saw in the country prior to the Taliban takeover and her feelings on the state of women in Afghanistan today. 

• Her insights on the future for women in Afghanistan, and on engaging and educating women for global societal stability. 

• What Canada and Canadians can and should do to help support women in Afghanistan. 

• Deborah’s two realities - that formed who she is.  

• Her thoughts on next steps in her career and role in diffusing the growth of divisive hate speech and discourse in Canada and around the world.  

• Her advice on how we move forward in a changing world. 

Links and resources:   

UN Announcement 

UN Farewell statement 

Deborah’s Twitter 

Thanks to:   

• Our alumni host, Katie Davey 

• Music by alumni artist, Beats of Burden  

• Our alumni Affinity Partners, TD Insurance and Manulife 

  
To listen to UNBeknownst and for more info on the podcast, the hosts and how to subscribe to new episode alerts, visit our website.