Episodes

  • Blind Drunk: Methanol Poisoning
    Nov 27 2024

    Not all hangovers leave you blind, but Ashley King’s did. In this episode, the actor and playwright shares her harrowing experience of methanol poisoning after being served a contaminated beverage while on vacation in Bali. Unlike ethanol, the alcohol found in drinks, methanol is highly toxic and can cause severe health issues. This tragedy left Ashley with irreversible vision loss. From the life-saving medical intervention in New Zealand to navigating daily life with a disability, Ashley’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. She opens up about the emotional toll, shifting social circles, and the internalized ableism that kept her from even telling a date she was blind. Ashley also dives into her creative process for Static, a darkly comedic play (and podcast) inspired by her journey. With humour and heart, she sheds light on the hidden dangers of homemade alcohol and the power of storytelling in healing.


    Be sure to check out Ashley's new podcast Static: A Party Girl's Memoir.


    Check out some of our other episodes where guests share their experiences with blindness here, here and here.


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    1 hr and 1 min
  • The Fight Against Blood Cancer: How Donations Save Lives
    Nov 20 2024

    Blood isn’t just thicker than water—it’s a lifeline, and sometimes it needs saving. In this special three-part episode, we explore leukemia and lymphoma from every angle. First, survivor Leanne Kean opens up about the grit, hope, and humour it took to reclaim her life after cancer. Next, Dr. Mani Larijani reveals the groundbreaking research reshaping blood cancer treatment and offering new hope to patients. Finally, Daniel Blacquiere from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada highlights how donations power these life-saving advancements. It's an emotional, eye-opening journey into the science, stories, and spirit of the fight against blood cancer.


    For more information on how you can support those battling Leukemia & Lymphoma visit: https://www.bloodcancers.ca/


    Catch the full video version of this episode on YouTube.


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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Gender Equality: Why We're Not There Yet (and Who's Holding Us Back)
    Nov 13 2024

    If we’re so close to gender equality, why does it still feel like women are running a marathon in heels? In this episode, award-winning journalist and bestselling author Liz Renzetti breaks down the illusion of progress when it comes to gender equality. She schools the boys on why caregiving—mostly done by women—is undervalued, how NDAs silence victims of harassment, and why the rise of “tradwives” has patriarchy patting itself on the back. From the eerie silence surrounding NDAs to the tech world’s need for more female voices, Renzetti’s insights challenge the status quo with wit and candor. Listen in for a fresh take on allyship, accountability, and the uphill trek toward true gender parity.


    Catch the full video version of this episode on YouTube here!


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    52 mins
  • "Jesus Take the Wheel... No, Not That Way!" - Stage IV Cancer
    Nov 6 2024

    From "Why me, God?" to "Well, this is awkward..." Joel goes deep on his decade long tango with a rare cancer diagnosis. No inspirational background music or heartwarming montages here - just raw, unfiltered real talk about what happens when life serves you a hot steaming plate of garbage. Joel takes the fellas through his journey with a cancer, exploring how it rattled his faith, redefined his identity, and made him question everything he thought he believed in. Openly shedding light on the emotional and physical toll, the power of family support, and the strength he found in awareness and acceptance.


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    55 mins
  • Sickboy Introduces | Uncover: Bad Results
    Nov 4 2024

    They needed certainty. They got chaos. For over a decade, countless people from at least five different countries put their trust in a company offering prenatal paternity tests. It promised clients “99.9% accuracy” — but then routinely, for over a decade, identified the wrong biological fathers.


    Investigative journalists Jorge Barrera and Rachel Houlihan track down the people whose lives were torn apart by these bad results, the shattered families and acrimonious court cases that followed, and the story behind the company that continues to stand by its testing and is still operating today.


    More episodes of Uncover are available at: https://lnk.to/7IRiRnqd

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    35 mins
  • Portraits of Pain - Chronic Illness Through Art
    Oct 30 2024

    Pain doesn’t always look the way people expect it to. Watercolor artist Kyriana delves into the reality of living with chronic pain—a sensation she likens to a broken bone that refuses to heal. Art, for her, is more than a passion; it’s a lifeline and a voice for the often invisible struggles of chronic illness. In this episode, she shares how painting helps her express and validate her symptoms while tackling the disbelief and gaslighting that can come with an invisible condition. Kiriana opens up about the unique catharsis of translating pain into portraits, shedding light on chronic illness and the healing power of creativity.


    Be sure to check out KYRIANNA'S upcoming art exhibit if you're in the area! 1078 Gallery, Chico California - November 1-24 2024.


    Catch the full video version of this episode on YouTube


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    49 mins
  • Solitary Confinement: The Dark Reality of Reform Schools
    Oct 23 2024

    Solitary confinement isn't just a punishment; for some, it's a childhood reality. In this episode, author Lisa Moore discusses her powerful collaboration with Jack Whalen on Invisible Prisons, a book that reveals the traumatic experiences of children in reform schools, focusing on Jack's harrowing story of isolation. The conversation explores the systemic issues of child abuse, the deep psychological impact of solitary confinement, and the pivotal role of love and family in healing. Lisa reflects on the transformative power of empathy in storytelling and her personal journey through the writing process.


    Catch the full video version of this episode on YouTube.


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    43 mins
  • The Shocking Reality of Cloning In The 21st Century
    Oct 16 2024

    When science and ethics clash, the results can be mind-boggling—and a little unsettling. This week Jer takes the fellas on a Cloning deep dive. It all begins with the recent story of Arthur “Jack” Schubarth, an 81-year-old rancher imprisoned for illegally cloning sheep for trophy hunting, sparking a deeper look into the ethical maze of cloning. From Dolly the sheep's groundbreaking role as the first mammal cloned from an adult cell to the controversial revival of extinct species like the woolly mammoth, cloning's potential is both awe-inspiring and alarming. Along the way, the discussion tackles fringe theories, human-animal hybrids, and the growing trend of cloning pets—raising big questions about our future with biotechnology.


    Catch the full video version of this episode on YouTube!


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    1 hr and 5 mins