Explore every episode of the podcast The Navigator

In this edition of Elke's on the Island, Elke Sorensen gets in contact with one of the administrators behind the popular campus Instagram page: Spottedviu. The account, which has over 1 thousand followers, is a platform for students to send in personal ads, missed connections, rants, and raves about campus to be posted anonymously to the page. In an anonymous interview, Admin speaks about the motives behind the page, what it's like to run it, and the future of Spottedviu.

By Elke Sorensen

This episode is part of The Navigator | Vol. 57, No. 3
For more in this issue, head to ⁠thenav.ca

Join Elke for the Halloween edition of Elke’s on the Island. In this episode, Elke brings the spooky vibes by chatting with sisters Gina Armstrong and Victoria Vancek, co-founders of Haunted History BC, about ghostly encounters at historical haunts around British Columbia. Their interview even features audio containing the voice of an alleged ghost woman. Then, Elke asks folks from her social media, VIU library-goers, and The Nav staff to share their scariest ghost stories, which includes Ouija board mishaps, Buttertubs Marsh ghost circles, and grandma’s last goodbye. Elke finishes the episode with a couple ghoulish book recommendations by Canadian authors to kickstart the spooky season.

By Elke Sorensen.

This episode is part of The Navigator | Vol. 57, No. 2

For more from this issue, head to thenav.ca

Riley_Garinger - METLFric-Circular Saw Blade, Scrape on Concrete_13_Triple_RG_2023_NTG4

Flojo92- Tl light startup

zimbot- Thud_1_HighShortReverb.wav

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qubodup-Creature Voice Mantra

Ivolipa - Mess_room_sounds.WAV

davidqr - creepy doll blufing

We all know RateMyProfessors.com exists. At the start of a new semester, students frequent the professor reviewing site more than ever. Associate Media Editor Elke Sorensen spoke with three VIU students: Cynthia deConinckSmith, Meetika Kher, and Liv Loewen to discuss why Rate My Professors is a helpful tool in determining what to expect from instructors in her new Nav Podcast, Elke’s on the Island. Plus, Elke managed to wrangle two VIU professors brave enough to confess they’ve visited their own respective pages: Amelia Horsburgh of the English department and Susan Juby of Creative Writing. Join Elke and her interviewees for 20 minutes of students and faculty reacting to silly, serious, and salty Rate My Professor reviews.

By Elke Sorensen

This episode is part of The Navigator | Vol. 57, No. 1
For more in this issue, head to thenav.ca

Join Daniela Guevara as she sits down with guest Becky Duarte to react to some unpopular opinions shared by VIU students. After working together on Q&A videos for VIU, Daniela and Becky decided to ask students for their boldest takes on any topic and discuss their own thoughts in response.

Tune in for a fun conversation as they share their reactions as well as interesting (and sometimes surprising) opinions.

By Daniela Guevara

This episode is part of The Navigator | Vol. 56, No. 6For more in this issue, head to thenav.ca

Join Jack Corfield for their last podcast at The Navigator. This episode we'll discuss the phrase "safe space" and how it can create problems in discussion. We'll hear detailed interviews with feminist scholars Dr. Melissa Stephens and Dr. Magnolia Pauker from the VIU Faculty of Arts and Humanities , including a thorough discussion of Jordan Peterson's politics.

Prepare yourself for broad, academic discussion of genocide, transphobia, and fascism.

By Jack Corfield

This episode is part of The Navigator | Vol. 56, No. 6
For more in this issue, head to thenav.ca

In this episode, host Daniela speaks with Master’s students Jaya and Sid, winners of the 'Best Team Presentation' at last year's 2024 CREATE Conference. They discuss their award-winning project on the interdisciplinary connection between leadership, marketing, and education, with a vision to build a free school in India to empower children for success. As respective M.Ed. and MBA students, Jaya and Sid also share their experiences of leadership at VIU and involvement in campus organizations like ROCK VIU, SLC, OCCEL, and VILC, offering advice on how students can get more engaged in both campus life and the Nanaimo community. 

By Daniela Guevara

This episode is part of The Navigator | Vol. 56, No. 5
For more in this issue, head to thenav.ca

The theatrical retelling of the horrible (fictional) events leading up to the tragic death of rising Canadian starlet, Jenna Caraway, and the maniacal, yet perhaps genius methodology of her costar and killer, the reclusive rom-com actor, Roy McQuade—the man who became a tiger.

Listen in as Crawford Giles brings together a talented cast for the most realistic recreation of a fictional historical event recorded in "The Tiger Method"

By Jack Corfield

This episode is part of The Navigator, Volume 56
For more, head to thenav.ca

Part two of the theatrical retelling of the horrible (fictional) events leading up to the tragic death of rising Canadian starlet, Jenna Caraway, and the maniacal, yet perhaps genius methodology of her costar and killer, the reclusive rom-com actor, Roy McQuade—the man who became a tiger.

By Jack Corfield

This episode is part of The Navigator | Vol. 56, No. 5
For more in this issue, head to thenav.ca

Join Daniela Guevara in this special episode of The Navigator Podcast as her guests, Alexander Aarø and Bendik Pedersen, two exchange students from Norway, share their unforgettable experiences in VIU’s music program. From exploring the stunning beauty of BC to creating lasting memories through music, they reflect on their journey and the impact of the program. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about cultural exchange, music, and meaningful memories.

By Daniela Guevara

This episode is part of The Navigator | Volume 56, No. 4
For more in this issue, head to thenav.ca

The theatrical retelling of the horrible (fictional) events leading up to the tragic death of rising Canadian starlet, Jenna Caraway, and the maniacal, yet perhaps genius methodology of her costar and killer, the reclusive rom-com actor, Roy McQuade—the man who became a tiger. Listen in as Crawford Giles brings together a talented cast of actors for the most realistic recreation of a historical event ever to be recorded. Will the production be a hit? Will it go off the rails in spectacular fashion? And who will be left standing when the proverbial curtain falls?

This is the first of two parts, the second of which will be released in February of 2025.

Original stageplay written by Evan Shumka.

Voice Talent Starring:

Allaina Wager as Jenna Carroway. Haley Turnbull as Jenna's mother, Maria Carraway. Padraig Sean Hogan as Lloyd Richards. Nicole Darlington as Ada Marchenko. The mysterious "Sam" as Roy McQuade. And Mitchell Wager as our lovely narrator and host, Crawford Giles.

Additional credits to freesound.org:

Thunder-Rolling-2.wav by svampen
License: Attribution 3.0

Birds of the city park.wav by dibko
License: Attribution 4.0

tiger roar by videog
License: Attribution 4.0

By Jack Corfield This episode is part of The Navigator | Vol. 56, No. 4
For more in this issue, head to thenav.ca

Join Daniela Guevara for another episode of The Navigator Podcast as her guests Jenna Bigmore, Alex Bhargava, and Max Rukus from the Malaspina Theatre here on campus discuss all the behind the scenes action happening at VIU’s Theatre Department. They explore themes like work/life balance and building friendships within the theatre program offered at VIU. By Daniela Guevara

This episode is part of The Navigator | Volume 56, No. 3

For more in this issue, head to thenav.ca

Join Jack, Becca, and Frankie as we discuss the return of VIU's feminism club, a space for everyone! In this short update, we'll discuss the exciting prospects for community creation and education that forming a club like Girls on Fire provides. Keep an eye out for upcoming events like Period Trivia and more...

By Jack Corfield

This episode is part of The Navigator | Vol. 56, No. 3

For more in this issue, head to ⁠thenav.ca⁠

Join Daniela for another episode of The Navigator Podcast as guests Paola and Hannah from VIU Thrive discuss the mental health support programs available to VIU students. Discover how Thrive’s events and resources empower students to prioritize their well-being during university.

By Daniela Guevara

This episode is part of The Navigator | Vol. 56, No. 2

For more in this issue, head to thenav.ca

Homeschooler Jack Corfield asks students in VIU's Education Program about their experiences in their practicums and classes. What skills do they learn to use? What do they learn on their feet? How can they help each other succeed? Find out in this episode of The Navigator Podcast.

By Jack Corfield

This episode is part of The Navigator | Vol. 56, No. 2

For more in this issue, head to ⁠thenav.ca

Two Danielas discuss the importance of building a supportive community and how finding your group of friends makes all the difference—especially when studying abroad.

By Daniela Guevara

This episode is part of The Navigator | Vol. 56, No. 1

For more in this issue, head to thenav.ca

Teigan and Padraig share their experience as neurodiversity people in love. With the longest standing relationship of anyone we've talked to so far, their relationship has grown from living in a tiny-home, to graduating university, to building a career in their late-twenties. Listen in as we discuss what it takes to repair after a meltdown, build relationships out of friendships, and create systems of mutual care that fill both partners cups. This episode is part of The Navigator, 56(1).

Find more in this issue at: thenav.ca

Alone on the interview couch, Barbara Burgardt, talks about her experience of Asexuality, and the Aro-Ace spectrum. This episode we'll discuss the complexities of loving oneself, as well as love for family, friends, and aesthetics. Trigger Warning: Eating Disorders.

Let's talk about love in all its many forms. Jack and their partner Amy start this series off talking to Jack's sister Ocea, and her girlfriend, Colby. We'll discuss how we define love, and how love defines us. Join us and be nourished as we discover new ways of showing our love, accepting it, and maintaining a communicative and lasting relationship dynamic.

Join Jack as we learn how to dream with Artificial Intelligence. Integrate new tools into your workflow, and look forward to the future of AI. From text and image generation to music and more! From the amazing things we may some day create with AI, to the insidious dangers of data-driven machine learning.

Jack is joined by their partner Amy Swanson, and two intrepid Navigators, Barbara Burgardt, and Sophia Wasylinko, on a hike up Mount Benson. Relax at home and listen to this rambling adventure in the wet and wild, where you will be immersed in the atmosphere of Vancouver Island forests on a cloudy November day. Striking vistas, unexpected challenges, and looming dangers await!

The Info Gold Rush: Jack breaks down the data-mining networks of your average consumer, how to escape the clutches of information capitalism, and why you might want to.

This episode is part of The Navigator Volume 55. Check out the rest of the issue here: No. 02 - Trick or Treat

New Wave — Jack speaks with Dr. KJ Reed and fellow non-binary VIU students about the experience of being non-binary in a gendered society and discusses their own reasons for identifying as non-binary.

Check out the rest of the issue here: The Navigator, 55(1) - New Wave

Jack interviews his parents in his childhood home on sleepy island paradise, and talks to other parents of homeschoolers from Protection Island about the unschooling experience.

Jack sits down with his roommates, Ocea and Amy, and two fellow Homeschoolers from VIU to discuss the public perception of homeschoolers and their presence/lifestyle in a university setting. Personal accounts, stories, and discussion of organized education commence!

How learning to play Dungeons & Dragons together forged a lifelong friendship. Jack and Mitchell talk about learning to play roleplaying games their own way, and give advice to future game masters (GMs).

Portal hosts its first poetry night of 2022 with Charlie Petch (2:17), and student readers Tammi Carto (9:36), Bella Hoodle (13:02), and Jack Corfield (14:38).Jack interviews Bella and Tammi after the readings (16:53)! 

Who are the people running VIU's clubs? Audio Editor Jack Corfield speaks to Gen, the Supreme Hierarch of Unconquerable Dungeons and Ancient God Dragons (President) of the D&D Club, and Elizabeth, the Minister of Internal Affairs for the History Club. Later, he sits down with power couple Sam and Katrin, Co-Chair of the History Students' Association and Vice-President of the Phycology Club, respectively. 

Written and Produced by Jack Corfield

Follow along with Nav Audio Editor Jack Corfield as he witnesses a night of drag at the Malaspina Theatre and meets Nanaimo's most influential drag stars. Drag in the Lobby is a fundraiser collaboration on September 22 between performer Darrian Tolerance and VIU's Positive Space Alliance. The aim is to have a night of fun for all ages and increase visibility and awareness of diverse gender identity.

Recording/Producing/Editing by Jack Corfield

Image via Jack Corfield