Let's Talk Poverty – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Let's Talk Poverty, Meaghon Reid connects with Lee Stevens, Policy and Research Specialist at VCC and Nick Falvo, a leading researcher on housing and homelessness to discuss the No Place To Go report, its findings and further actions that need to be taken to end homelessness in Calgary. 

In this episode of Let's Talk Poverty, Meaghon Reid connects with Leslie Hill, Executive Director of Discovery House, about the realities of support provided to those affected by domestic violence, the need for trauma-informed care and the importance of policy changes to provide long-term support and prevention. 

Resources 

• 24-Hour Violence Helpline: If you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence, please call 403-234-7233. This helpline is available 24/7 with supportive professionals on the other end. 

• Learn more about the incredible work being done at Discovery House.

• Prosperity Project is a national project highlighting salary disparities in different sectors, including the social sector. 

In this episode of Let's Talk Poverty, Meaghon Reid chats with Anna Murphy, a community advocate for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, about trans rights in Alberta, the fragility of human rights and what real allyship looks like. 

In this episode of Let's Talk Poverty, Jaclyn chats with Meaghon Reid, Executive Director of Vibrant Communities Calgary about the state of poverty in Calgary, VCC's Beneath the Surface report and what individuals can do in their spheres of influence to affect poverty reduction and build community wellbeing. They also touch on an array of topics from affordable housing to social disorder to why it matters that we collects metrics and data in more meaninfgul ways. 

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with Salimah Kassam, leader of Rise Calgary, to explore what it means to move from a scarcity to strength mindset, the concept of designing systems that create slack for people, and what some of the roadblocks are to shifting perspectives on poverty. They also discuss behavioural economics, why collaboration is necessary for solving poverty, and how innovations like mobility coaching are building the capacity for people to create new futures.

In this episode, Meaghon Reid sits down with Adam Legge, president of the Business Council of Alberta, to explore what the role of business is in society, how that role is evolving, links between business and a healthy society, and the concept of shared prosperity. They also discuss financial and social prosperity, perspectives on how businesses may intervene, influence or shift policy, and insights into why we need to have the ability to generate income and wealth, while also investing in and sustaining social relationships in order to create a sense of belonging, a sense of well-being, a sense of community, and a sense of place.

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with James Stauch, executive director of the Institute for Community Prosperity at Mount Royal University, to explore social innovation and social purpose, and how systems mapping is a wayfinding tool that helps deepen one's understanding of a problem. They also discuss a variety of other topics including different social enterprise models, the impact of homogeneous groups designing systems, the skills needed to solve complex challenges, and how truly transformative and sustainable change requires many people, many institutions, lots of trusting relationships, and a deep commitment over time.

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with Jessica Cope Williams, Co-CEO of Kindred Connections Society to explore how an organization's name can act as a barrier to those trying to access services and what it means to be a connection first organization. They also discuss mental health, poverty and early parenthood, and how investments in collaborative work across organizations shape better pathways to accessing services more easily.

In this episode, Meaghon Reid sits down with the CEO of Calgary Reads, Steacy Pinney, to discuss how Calgary Reads is spreading early literacy across Calgary through the Dandelion strategy, and the importance of literacy and prevention in the early years. They also explore how relationships are the catalyst for progress and change, how literacy is a community responsibility, along with some insights on how we can be bold enough to create space for challenging the status quo and brave enough to admit when it's time to let go.