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EPISODE 50

WHEN I GOT SOLD IT MEANT THAT LIFE FOR ME WAS MEANINGLESS

Soyeon Jang escaped from North Korea in 1999 at the height of a famine that killed an estimated 3-million citizens. She talks about her unimaginable escape from North Korea, being sold and human trafficked in China, losing contact with her family, and her heroic journey that eventually brought her to Toronto.

SEASON 5

Soyeon Jang escaped from North Korea in 1999 at the height of a famine that killed an estimated 3-million citizens. She talks about her unimaginable escape from North Korea, being sold and human trafficked in China, losing contact with her family, and her heroic journey that eventually brought her to Toronto. [Episode 50 transcript]

This week, hosts Gilad Cohen and Taylah Harris-Mungo interview each other. They chat about mental health, panic attacks, and anxiety while also exploring how growing up with immigrant / racialized families impacted how they see the world around them. [Episode 49 transcript]

Angela Nguyen is a registered nurse, human rights activist, and Founder/President of One Body Village Canada, a charity that is committed to supporting survivors of child sexual exploitation and human trafficking from Vietnam and Cambodia. She joins us to chat about her organization, modern day slavery, and how Canadians can join in the fight to combat human trafficking. [Episode 48 transcript]

DijahSB is a Toronto-based rapper, advocate for mental health, and huge basketball fan. They join co-hosts Gilad Cohen and Taylah Harris-Mungo to chat about the journey of becoming a full-time artist, how being gender non-binary let them be themselves, and how being a troll on Twitter has helped them develop a community. [Episode 47 transcript]

Miral Mokhtar and Nouran Hussein are artists, activists and also queer refugees from Egypt. Forced to flee due to their sexual orientation, they join co-hosts Gilad Cohen and Taylah Harris-Mungo to chat about their love story, homophobia, their journey to Toronto and housing insecurity in Canada. [Episode 46 transcript]

Ann Shin is an award winning documentary filmmaker, advocate for North Korean refugees and author of The Last Exiles. She joins hosts Gilad Cohen and Taylah Harris-Mungo to discuss the plight of North Korean defectors, using the arts as a tool to share stories, and the misadventures of Dragon, a man with multiple cell phones. [Episode 45 transcript]

Heather Trentacosta is a mother, host of the Without Conviction podcast, and brother of Sean Ryan, an incarcerated man who is claiming he is wrongfully convicted. She joins hosts Gilad Cohen and Taylah Harris-Mungo to discuss her brother’s case, him being in solitary confinement for 27+ years, how horrifically common it is for cases to be mishandled, and that time he escaped prison. [Episode 44 transcript]

Brishkay Ahmed is an Afghan-Canadian documentary filmmaker who focuses her art on sharing stories of women’s rights. She joins us to talk about her life growing up in Afghanistan, the current conflict, and what Canadians can do to help. [Episode 43 Transcript] — Brishkay Ahmed is an Afghan-Canadian documentary filmmaker who focuses her art on sharing stories of women’s rights. She joins us to talk about her life growing up in Afghanistan, the current conflict, and what Canadians can do to help. [Episode 43 Transcript]

Rana Abu Fraiha is a Bedouin-Palestinian documentary filmmaker and close friend of Guy Ben-Aharon, an Israeli-American theatre director. They are also artists and advocates for peace between Palestine and Israel. They join hosts Gilad Cohen and Taylah Harris-Mungo to discuss how the conflict in the Middle East has impacted them, how trauma affects the way we view the world, and six hour lunches. [Episode 42 Transcript]

Sumaiya Matin is a social worker, a survivor of forced marriage, and author of The Shaytan Bride. She joins hosts Gilad Cohen and Taylah Harris-Mungo to talk about how people get trapped into forced marriages, how the Muslim faith is widely misinterpreted and exploited, as well as how her experiences inspired her to help others . [Episode 41 Transcript]

SEASON 4

Nora Sandigo is an activist and the legal guardian of over 2,000 children of undocumented immigrants. She joins us to discuss the documentary The Great Mother, the complexities of being undocumented, and what everyday people can do to fix the problem. [Episode 40 Transcript]

This week, hosts Gilad Cohen and Andrea Rodriguez welcome ... Gilad Cohen and Andrea Rodriguez. Join our hosts as they chat about mental health in the workplace, growing up with immigrant mothers, and what it's like to meditate for ten days straight. [Episode 39 Transcript]

Sasha Joseph Neulinger is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, acclaimed filmmaker, and inspirational speaker. He joins us to discuss his documentary Rewind, how to create spaces for survivors, and learning to love himself again. [Episode 38 Transcript]

Todd “Speech” Thomas is a Grammy-winning musician, the frontman for the hip-hop group Arrested Development, and an advocate for prison reform. He joins us to discuss the documentary 16 Bars, why it is so difficult to change the prison-industrial complex, and music’s role in social justice. [Episode 37 Transcript]

Mohamad Lazakani is a student, photographer, and Syrian refugee. He joins us to discuss his experiences fleeing war, settling in Toronto, life after the inspirational news stories, and why he will always consider Syria home. [Episode 36 Transcript]

Jeeti Pooni is a survivor of sexual abuse, a published author, and an advocate for the rights of survivors. She joins us with director Baljit Sangra to discuss the documentary Because We Are Girls, how the justice system can better support people living with trauma, and why she has hope for future generations. [Episode 35 Transcript]

Shaparak Shajarizadeh is a mother, asylum seeker, and an activist for women’s rights in Iran. She joins us to discuss Iran’s gender dynamics, her struggles with survivor’s guilt, and what Canada’s role should be in promoting gender equality. [Episode 34 Transcript]

Rod MacLeod is one of over 100 boys who was sexually assaulted by Father William “Hod” Marshall and the subject of the documentary Prey. He joins us with director Matt Gallagher to discuss his 50-year struggle with trauma, how the Catholic Church has continued to fail survivors, and if the institution has really changed. [Episode 33 Transcript]

Women are the fastest growing prison population worldwide. Bianca Mercer is a prison reform advocate, a former inmate, and subject of the film Conviction. She joins us with co-director Nance Ackerman to discuss their film, why we need to shift our resources from imprisonment to community-based rehabilitation, and the enduring stigma of life after prison. [Episode 32 Transcript]

Waad and Hamza al-Kateab are activists, survivors of the ongoing civil crisis in Syria, and also the proud parents of two children. Waad and Hamza join us this week with co-director Edward Watts to discuss their film For Sama, the hardships of living in Syria, and finding love in the midst of civil unrest. [Episode 31 Transcript]

SEASON 3

On August 9, 2016, Colten Boushie, a 22-year old Indigenous man, was shot in the back of the head by Gerald Stanley, sparking a national discussion about race relations in Canada. Stanley was acquitted of second degree murder by an all-white jury. Colten’s mother Debbie Baptiste and filmmaker Tasha Hubbard join us to discuss their film Nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up, the pain of losing a son, and how systemic racism impacts our justice system. [Episode 30 Transcript]

Scarlet Estrada is an activist from Venezuela and a relative of political prisoners under the Maduro regime. She joins us to discuss the confusion around the Venezuelan crisis, reframing political prisoners as hostages, and why the rise of a dictatorship is like cooking a frog. [Episode 29 Transcript]

Hosts Gilad Cohen and Simona Ramkisson open up to each other on this very special episode of The Hum. Catch up on what they have been up to in their personal lives, their thoughts on “wokeness” as a brand, and what Gilad thinks about vaping. [Episode 28 Transcript]

Spencer West is a motivational speaker, an activist for accessibility, and an individual who lost his legs at the age of 5. He talks about growing up in Wyoming as a gay man living with a disability, the need to make Toronto more accessible, and that time he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. [Episode 27 Transcript]

Jeremy Dutcher is an award-winning musician, activist and two-spirited Wolastoqiyik from the Tobique First Nation. He joins Gilad Cohen and special guest host Blanche Israël to discuss reconciliation vs revitalization, the role music has in keeping Indigenous languages alive, and changing misconceptions about Scorpios. [Episode 26 Transcript]

Julie Francoeur is the Executive Director of FairTrade and a lifelong advocate of ending the modern day slave trade. She joins us this week to discuss how people get caught up in slavery, how it finds itself in nearly everything we own, and ways to address this ever-growing dilemma. [Episode 25 Transcript]

Vuyiseka Dubula-Majola is a mother of three, a woman living with HIV, and an activist for accessible treatment in South Africa. She joins us this week to discuss the process of being diagnosed with HIV, the socio-economic politics associated with treatment, and why she has so much hope for the future of activism. [Episode 24 Transcript]

Major Monique Brown is an eighteen-year veteran of the Baltimore Police Force and the first African American woman to hold that position. She joins us to discuss the documentary Charm City (Human Rights Film Festival 2018), growing up in the community she serves, and her first time trying poutine. [Episode 23 Transcript]

Sargent Nina Usherwood is a nearly 40-year veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force, an inspirational speaker and a trans woman. She joins us to discuss her struggles coming out in the military, the changes she has seen in her career, and why she identifies as a “Ros-bien”. [Episode 22 Transcript]

Laila Ireland is a veteran of the U.S. Army, a transgender woman, and an activist. She joins us to discuss her experience filming the documentary TransMilitary (Human Rights Film Festival Opening Film, 2018), why trans service members feel more comfortable in war zones than at home, and literally the greatest engagement story ever. [Episode 21 Transcript]

SEASON 2

Syrus Marcus Ware is an artist, activist and core member of Black Lives Matter Toronto. He joins us to discuss his experience as a trans father, how he uses art for social change, and why Canadians have a hard time addressing their own history of anti-black racism. [Episode 20 Transcript]

Alice Kim was the daughter of two high ranking government officials in North Korea before defecting as a one year old. She joins us this week to discuss how defecting from North Korea affected her family, the normalization of Kim Jong-un, and her ho… — Alice Kim was the daughter of two high ranking government officials in North Korea before defecting as a one year old. She joins us this week to discuss how defecting from North Korea affected her family, the normalization of Kim Jong-un, and her hopes for an re-unified Korea. [Episode 19 Transcript]

Lia Grimanis is an autistic survivor of abuse who went from homeless teen to business leader and advocate. She joins us this week to discuss our misunderstandings about mental health and homelessness, why people with autism are especially vulnerable and which world records she broke in high heels. [Episode 18 Transcript]

Colleen Cardinal is a mother, author, and survivor of the Sixties Scoop. She joins us this week to talk about how she perceived being Indigenous as a child, intergenerational trauma, and how Canada has failed to address its past treatment of Indigenous peoples. [Episode 17 Transcript]

Before becoming a world renowned hip-hop sensation and activist, Emmanuel Jal grew up as a child soldier in what is now known as South Sudan. He joins us this week to talk about his childhood, how music provided an important platform for his cause, and Kanye West. [Episode 16 Transcript]

Hosts Gilad Cohen and Simona Ramkisson open up to each other this week. What shaped their interest in human rights? How do they deal with micro-aggressions and racism? And what possessed them to dye their hair blonde? This plus so much more on the latest episode of The Hum. [Episode 15 Transcript]

Emmy-nominated filmmaker Cynthia Lowen has seen firsthand how cyber abuse can have an impact outside the chat room. She joins us today to discuss her film Netizens, the gender dynamics of being on the internet and the efforts to bring practical reforms to privacy laws. [Episode 14 Transcript]

On January 31, 2015, Mandi Gray was reportedly sexually assaulted by a fellow student at York University. Mandi drops by to talk about institutional betrayal, naming sexual assault, and becoming one of the few to take her case to trial. [Episode 13 Transcript]

On October 12, 2013, Scott Jones' life changed in an instant when he was left paralyzed from the waist down in an anti-gay hate crime. Scott and his close friend, Laura Marie Wayne sit down with us to discuss toxic masculinity, the hesitation of naming hate crimes and how Scott has moved on since the attack. [Episode 12 Transcript]

On September 24, 2014, Jermaine Carby was shot dead by Peel Regional Police. His cousin and close friend La Tanya Grant discusses who Jermaine was and shares insights on the controversial practice of carding, police brutality and the onus of justice… — On September 24, 2014, Jermaine Carby was shot dead by Peel Regional Police. His cousin and close friend La Tanya Grant discusses who Jermaine was and shares insights on the controversial practice of carding, police brutality and the onus of justice put on black families. [Episode 11 Transcript]

SEASON 1

Described by North Korea as the most dangerous American they've ever imprisoned, Kenneth Bae talks about spending 735 days in a forced labour camp. He chats with us about faith, grilled cheese sandwiches, becoming a counsellor to his guards and Denn… — Described by North Korea as the most dangerous American they've ever imprisoned, Kenneth Bae talks about spending 735 days in a forced labour camp. He chats with us about faith, grilled cheese sandwiches, becoming a counsellor to his guards and Dennis Rodman. [Episode 10 Transcript]

Cleopatra Kambugu is an activist and Uganda’s first out transgender woman. She joins us this week with her main squeeze, Nelson, to talk about her experiences and struggles, LGBTQ culture in Uganda, and Jerry Springer. [Episode 9 Transcript]

Zahra Haider created a shit storm when she wrote an article for VICE about having premarital sex in Pakistan. This week, Zahra repsonds to her haters, thanks her supporters, and squashes rumours that she's an Indian spy. [Episode 8 Transcript]

We've received a lot of questions about our hosts recently. Who are they? Why do they do this podcast? Why are their names so hard to pronounce? This week, Amar and Gilad bare their souls... to each other. [Episode 7 Transcript]

In 2002, a mountain biking accident left Luke Anderson with significant paralysis. Since then, he founded StopGap Foundation and turned his injury into a mission to create barrier-free cities. Luke talks to Amar and Gilad about access, empowering la… — In 2002, a mountain biking accident left Luke Anderson with significant paralysis. Since then, he founded StopGap Foundation and turned his injury into a mission to create barrier-free cities. Luke talks to Amar and Gilad about access, empowering language, and finding his new normal. [Episode 6 Transcript]

Playwright, singer, theatre director, and youth educator Tanisha Taitt is a survivor of violence. She shares her thoughts on gender conditioning, the Jian Ghomeshi verdict, the Democratic presidential race, and living beyond labels. [Episode 5 Trans… — Playwright, singer, theatre director, and youth educator Tanisha Taitt is a survivor of violence. She shares her thoughts on gender conditioning, the Jian Ghomeshi verdict, the Democratic presidential race, and living beyond labels. [Episode 5 Transcript]

Adil Charkaoui spent two years in a Quebec prison as a terror suspect. He was never charged with a crime. After five years of house arrest and two Supreme Court victories, he was finally freed in 2009. We caught up with Adil to talk about Islamophob… — Adil Charkaoui spent two years in a Quebec prison as a terror suspect. He was never charged with a crime. After five years of house arrest and two Supreme Court victories, he was finally freed in 2009. We caught up with Adil to talk about Islamophobia, racism in Quebec, and men with swords. [Episode 4 Transcript]

Filmmaker Rama Rau talks to us about cyberbullying, rape culture, victim blaming and what it was like making No Place To Hide, her documentary about the Rehtaeh Parsons story. [Episode 3 Transcript] — Filmmaker Rama Rau talks to us about cyberbullying, rape culture, victim blaming and what it was like making *No Place To Hide*, her documentary about the Rehtaeh Parsons story. [Episode 3 Transcript]

Enoch, a North Korean refugee, describes what life was like under the regime, his journey across the ice cold Tumen River, the challenges he now faces as a refugee, and the bright lights that convinced him it was all worth it. [Episode 1 Transcript]

ABOUT

The Hum is a podcast that cuts straight to the heart of human rights stories. Raw, honest and uncensored, from the people who have lived them first-hand.

Real people. Real stories. Every other Tuesday.

Please note that the content may include content which is triggering.

The Hum is an initiative of JAYU, a charity that shares human rights stories through the arts.

THE TEAM

Season 5

GILAD COHEN (Host & Producer)
Gilad Cohen is an Israeli-Canadian Toronto-based artist, photographer, podcaster, public speaker, and advocate for human rights. Since 2008, Gilad has worked as a community mobilizer with a focus on connecting audiences to urgent and compelling stories through multimedia arts. In 2012, Gilad founded JAYU, an award-winning Toronto-based charity that serves the arts community through the annual Human Rights Film Festival, The Hum, a human rights podcast which he produces and co-hosts, as well as the iAM Program, an initiative that provides arts and social justice mentorship to more than 200 equity-seeking youth from across the GTA each year. He is an alumna of the Toronto Arts Council Leaders Lab and the Rothschild Fellowship at Cambridge University in the UK.

TAYLAH HARRIS-MUNGO (Host)
Taylah is a black queer trans artist and social justice advocate. They're passionate about facilitating discussions about social issues and are excited to join the JAYU squad as the new co-host of The Hum Podcast.
thmdesign.ca

ALEX CASTELLANI (Producer & Editor)
@a_caste
Alex Castellani has always believed in the transformative power of story telling from a young age. Vacillating between passions and interests over the years, he has since compounded harnessed skills into a multi-location cafe and bar in Toronto where he uses sensory experience and education to tell stories about people and lands around the world. From a young age inheriting his fathers 35mm camera, Alex has had a deep passion for photography and broadcasting. He spent his young adult years mastering audio and setting up audio productions for various functions and currently produces another podcast, PLATES, focusing on food and fitness culture. With an post-secondary educational background in ethics and a business focused on transparency and supply chain equity across beverage categories, Alex is thrilled to be part of the team at The Hum.

RACHAEL LEWIS (Producer & Editor)
Rachael is a filmmaker and producer from Hamilton, Ontario. Having recently graduated from the University of Toronto Cinema Studies Institute, she is proud to use her artistic passion to champion human rights causes starting with her work at JAYU. Rachael strongly believes in art as a productive and meaningful avenue for change. Through her work on UofT student-led film groups she has created space for student activism in all areas of her life, and plans to continue to amplify voices of advocates in solidarity, and literally, as an audio producer.

Seasons 2-4

GILAD COHEN (Host & Producer)
@MrGiladCohen
Gilad is an artist, human rights advocate and founder of JAYU, a charity that uses art to share human rights stories. Gilad has been actively involved in the human rights scene since 2006. Feeling the need to raise more awareness in his own community, Gilad launched JAYU in 2012, using art as the main vehicle. Gilad has been invited to speak on human rights in media and several platforms including CTV, CBC, The Globe and Mail, Al Jazeera America, and the 19th session of the UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva in 2012. In 2015, he was selected as a Rothschild Fellow through The University of Cambridge in the UK, as well as a fellow with the Toronto Arts Council Leaders Lab in 2017.

SIMONA RAMKISSON (Host)
Simona Ramkisson is a community development professional who is actively working to ensure community voices and insights are at the center of community program design and not the afterthought. As a advocate of open practice and program design, Simona is currently working on a province-wide digital literacy project focused on ensuring marginalized and underrepresented communities are included in the changing innovation economy. Her current obsession includes working with communities of colour to understand their digital rights and to better equip vulnerable peoples with the tools and know-how to better engage and participate online.

BRANDON FRAGOMENI (Producer & Editor)
@josif13
Brandon has had his hand in several industries over the past few years. Brandon spent time in the United Kingdom completing a Masters in Public Administration, focusing his research on Canada’s Indigenous peoples and public policy. Brandon has also spent time working in the fitness and health industry, which lead to the creation of Plates Podcast, a podcast about the culture of food, fitness and health, in which Brandon is the co-host. Brandon has been involved with non-profits and grassroots organizations for over a decade and now works in international development.

ALEX CASTELLANI (Producer & Editor)
@a_caste
Alex Castellani has always believed in the transformative power of story telling from a young age. Vacillating between passions and interests over the years, he has since compounded harnessed skills into a multi-location cafe and bar in Toronto where he uses sensory experience and education to tell stories about people and lands around the world. From a young age inheriting his fathers 35mm camera, Alex has had a deep passion for photography and broadcasting. He spent his young adult years mastering audio and setting up audio productions for various functions and currently produces another podcast, PLATES, focusing on food and fitness culture. With an post-secondary educational background in ethics and a business focused on transparency and supply chain equity across beverage categories, Alex is thrilled to be part of the team at The Hum.

RON MA (Associate Producer)
Ron is an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto with a passion for using the arts to tell marginalized stories. With his academic interests in cinema studies and urban studies, he brings a critical approach towards media and an understanding of community development issues into his work. He is a programmer for JAYU’s Human Rights Film Festival and for the Free Friday Films series at the university’s Cinema Studies Student Union.

Season 1

KATY SWAILES (Producer & Editor)
@katyswailes
Katy is a filmmaker and audio producer based in Toronto. She is the writer/producer of the feature documentary film Voices of Silence, about domestic violence in Bangladesh, and associate producer/story editor of The Ravenite, a documentary film about the Gambino crime family's social club in 1980s New York. By day she is the associate producer of Writers & Company, a weekly literary program on CBC Radio One and SiriusXM Radio.

CONTACT US

info@jayu.ca

The Hum Podcast (JAYU)
380-401 Richmond St W.
Toronto, ON
M5V 3A8