For the Record: Medical Books Mean Big Business for SFU Student

He started by selling coffee in a Mexico City subway, then started selling it in a local bookstore, and then began selling the store’s books online and now has a business that is expected to bring in over a million dollars this year. Simon Fraser University student Jordan Guiterrez recently won the university’s Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award for starting an online medical bookstore in partnership with a bookstore in Mexico City. I talked to Guitterrez about his experience starting the business. (16:19)


Via BCIT. Photos by Adam Drake & jill.s.

For the Record: Psychological Response Teams for Disaster Victims

A counsellor with Richmond Public Health recently travelled as part of a team to an area of northwestern China that was hit with a major earthquake last spring. The team is aiming to establish a team in the area to respond to psychological needs after a major disaster, and wants to promote the importance of being prepared to deal with psychological needs after such a catastrophe. The team is also working with the City of Richmond, and local organizations to establish a similar team here in BC. I talked with Dr. Chak Au about his experience in China, and how a similar team would work in Richmond. (13:58)


Via BCIT. Photos by VancouverGo & dfait.maeci.

For the Record: Funding Shortages for SEED Program

I talked to Executive Director Nancy Keough of the Kettle Friendship Society. The organization runs SEED, a program that provides jobs for over 70 employees suffering from mental illness. The program is running out of funding and may have to shut down. (15:00)


Via BCIT. Photos by uousociety & Susan Gittins.

For the Record: Troubled O.W.L.s

Listen to my interview with O.W.L. (Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society) Chief Executive Officer Bev Day about how funding cuts may affect the facility’s birds, and education and volunteer programs. (11:04)


Via BCIT. Photos by Nicki C & Scott Andrew.

For the Record: Honour House

I talked to Allan DeGenova, a Vancouver realtor and board member of Honour House, a home in New Westminster that is being renovated to become temporary housing for wounded soldiers, police, firefighters, and paramedics, and is set to open by Remembrance Day. (10:32)


Via BCIT. Photos by Bluey-P & Richard Lee.

For the Record: Texting Teens

I interviewed guest Dr. Peter Chow-White, discussing text messaging, and how it will affect communications among younger generations. (11:43)


Via BCIT. Photo by I Am Adam & Lee Hochstein.

For the Record: Backyard Chickens

Backyard chickens are crossing the road to legalization in Vancouver but are still banned from residential properties in Burnaby. I talked to Gordon World, an advocate for backyard chicken coops. They discuss the merits of making them legal and address some of the arguments against them. (10:39)


Via BCIT. Photo by Steven Johnson.

Documentary Short: Carnival Band

A profile of an eclectic group of Vancouver performers who bring the community together through music.

For the Record: Site C Dam Proposal

The BC Government’s announcement that the Site C Hydro-electric dam will be built on the Peace River is raising environmental concerns from native groups and even sustainable energy proponents. Listen as I explore the project with my guest Chief Roland Wilson of the Treaty 8 Tribal Association. (11:37)


Via BCIT. Photos by Peter H.

Why Can't You Just Be Gay?

Nominated for the 2010 Broadcast Educators Association of Canada Award for Best Audio Feature/Documentary.

Timia, formerly known as Tim underwent gender reassignment surgery in September 2009. This radio documentary outlines Timia’s physical journey from male to female and delves into her world to reveal for listeners what she knew about herself from a young age: Transgenderism is more than simply being gay in a man's body. (7:34)


Via BCIT. Photos by Jon Gilbert Leavitt & Sam T.