Perceptions of Urban Coyotes in Ontario with Nicole Murphy + Dr. Stephanie Rutherford
Defender Radio and The Switch
Traditional media has long portrayed coyotes in a negative light – and you don’t have to take my word for it. Nicole Murphy, a student at Peterborough’s Trent University took on the issue of how coyotes are perceived by undertaking a three-part project: she ran an analysis of media reporting on coyotes across the Greater Toronto Area, surveyed staff, faculty and students at Trent University to get their perceptions, and setup trail cameras around the campus to learn and showcase how coyotes are already coexisting with people. The paper, titled Perceptions of Urban Coyotes in Ontario: The...
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Climate Grief with Dr. Shawna Weaver
Defender Radio and The Switch
Some days are hard. The world feels like it’s falling apart, forests are burning, ecosystems are breaking down, and hope can be a long, long way away. But you’re not alone in this feeling – and there are ways to manage and cope that not only support you but can make for a healthier community and planet. Climate Grief, From Coping to Resilience and Action is a new book from Dr. Shawna Weaver that dives into the realities of climate change, the grief so many of us are experiencing, and how that impacts our day-to-day lives. Importantly, Dr. Weaver shows how facing our grief...
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How To Talk To A Science Denier with Dr. Lee McIntyre (repost)
Defender Radio and The Switch
Episode originally released September 2021. The idea of walking into a flat earth convention makes my tummy hurt. For Dr. Lee McIntyre, it was an exercise in curiosity explored in the introduction of his new book, How To Talk To A Science Denier. Dr. McIntyre is an author, a research fellow at the Center for Philosophy and History of Science at Boston University and an instructor in Ethics at Harvard Extension School. An award-winning teacher, McIntyre has penned several popular titles on the philosophy of science and anti-science sentiments and strategies. His latest, published by MIT...
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A Forever Home for Hooves with Michelle Singleton
Defender Radio and The Switch
The search for home is something most people can relate to, at some point in their lives. Regardless of circumstance, that need for the place that is yours, surrounded by the people you love, and the sense of wellness that comes with it, is a universal desire. And it’s not just for humans. Animals bred and kept as livestock – or farmed animals – have similar feelings and needs. And one incredible group of people is helping make sure that a forever home exists for those they can help. is a haven for animals on Vancouver Island, where pigs, goats, horses, chickens, and other domestic...
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The Emotional Lives of Animals with Dr. Marc Bekoff
Defender Radio and The Switch
Making an emotional connection to a non-human animal is a defining moment in many peoples’ lives. It could be the family dog, a squirrel who hops past a window every day, or a black bear known to meander through a local forest. It’s that connection that can help people understand the depth of non-human animal emotion and make changes in how they view the world around them. knows a thing or two about this connection – and has revisited a classic publication to show how far science and society have come in understanding animal emotions. Dr. Bekoff is a celebrated ethologist, best-selling...
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VICTORY: Fighting Ag-Gag in Ontario with Camille Labchuk
Defender Radio and The Switch
Investigations into farms by animal advocacy groups is an essential tool to exposing serious, systemic abuses of animals, failures to follow basic policy, and have led to criminal charges. But the Ontario government wanted to stop that – and introduced Bill 156 in 2020. The Bill, Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, was , with applicants (a journalist) and Louise Jorgensen (an advocate with ). Intervenors who joined Animal Justice included , the , and . After some serious legal work by the aforementioned team, Justice Markus Koehnen of the Superior Court that elements of...
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Depaving Hamilton with Green Venture
Defender Radio and The Switch
A concrete laden Barton Street runs the distance of lower Hamilton, marking the transition from residential housing to commercial and industrial spaces – what many people think of when they hear Steel City. But along this busy street something magical is happening: swatches of concrete are vanishing, to be replaced by naturalized gardens. Flowers, native grasses, and plenty of shrubs and trees are establishing themselves in this urban core thanks to programs and the teams at , a Hamilton-based nonprofit. Depaving is just one of the projects that Green Venture focuses on, in addition to rain...
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Humane Canada's Summit for Animals
Defender Radio and The Switch
If you don’t already have passes to Humane Canada’s Summit for Animals May 5 to 7 in Halifax, you’re going to miss out on an awful lot! The annual event is organized by Humane Canada, the national federation of humane societies and SPCAs, and presenting sponsor PetSmart Charities of Canada. The Summit for Animals brings together people who work on the frontlines of animal welfare, the folks who strategize behind the scenes, people who run shelters, and those that seek legislative policy shifts. It’s the place to be for animal advocates, and to share more about what this year’s...
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The Art of Simone Diamond
Defender Radio and The Switch
is a Coast Salish artist who creates art pieces in the Coast Salish style. You may have seen Simone’s designs featured on products from companies like , on her popular , or in The Fur-Bearers’ kids activity book. Simone joins Defender Radio to talk about how spirituality is infused with her art, the impact of colonization on the traditions in her family and culture, and how aspiring artists can find joy and inspiration around them. SHOW NOTES Episode art by Simone Diamond Find Simone on Instagram at Find Francis Horne Sr. (Simone's master carver father) on Instagram at ...
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The Lives of Wild Dogs with Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin
Defender Radio and The Switch
Improving the lives of dogs across Canada and around the world is a hefty goal – but by talking about the lives of wild dogs, Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin is getting closer to reaching that goal every day. Dr. Fraser-Celin, who has worked with African wild dogs, dogs in Indigenous communities in Canada, and identifying how a one-health approach makes an impact, is breaking down misconceptions, providing resourecs, and creating community programs – all from an Instagram account, . Head over to while listening to Dr. Fraser-Celin on Defender Radio discuss her journey to supporting people and...
info_outlineSome days are hard. The world feels like it’s falling apart, forests are burning, ecosystems are breaking down, and hope can be a long, long way away. But you’re not alone in this feeling – and there are ways to manage and cope that not only support you but can make for a healthier community and planet.
Climate Grief, From Coping to Resilience and Action is a new book from Dr. Shawna Weaver that dives into the realities of climate change, the grief so many of us are experiencing, and how that impacts our day-to-day lives. Importantly, Dr. Weaver shows how facing our grief is the first step toward making change for ourselves and for the planet. An experienced eco-therapist with advanced degrees, Dr. Weaver joins Defender Radio to share what led to this book, how grief is unique to everyone, and what tools we have to ensure we not only cope but become resilient and lead fulfilling lives.
SHOW NOTES:
Cover photo by Peter Kolejak / Getty Images
Dr. Shawna Weaver's website: https://www.shawnajweaver.com/
Climate Grief on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Climate-Grief-Coping-Resilience-Action/dp/1590567161/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3DCSKZH51R3K8&keywords=climate%20grief%20weaver&qid=1687959054&s=books&sprefix=climate%20grief%20weaver%2Cstripbooks%2C78&sr=1-1), Bookshop (https://bookshop.org/p/books/climate-grief-from-coping-to-resilience-and-action-shawna-weaver/19810317?ean=9781590567166), Indigo (https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/climate-grief-from-coping-to-resilience-and-action/9781590567166.html)
Follow Dr. Shawna Weaver on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/drshawnajweaver/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/shawnajweaver?lang=en).
Mental Health Resources
Talk Suicide Canada:
https://talksuicide.ca/
1-833-456-4566 (toll free, 24/7)
Text 45645 (4 pm to midnight ET)
Government of Canada resource list:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html
Wellness Together Canada:
https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/en-ca/
Canadian Mental Health Association:
https://cmha.ca/find-help/
In case of emergency, call 9-1-1.
For American listeners:
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
https://afsp.org/
Crisis interventions https://afsp.org/im-having-thoughts-of-suicide/