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In this special bonus episode of Between the Threads, host Somia Sadiq sits down with Steve Locke, poet, creative writing mentor, and co-director of the Winnipeg Poetry Slam. Steve shares his journey from writing angry teenage song lyrics and finding mentorship in high school to using poetry as a tool for emotional navigation, social critique, and trauma processing. Together, they explore how spoken word builds accessible community, the power of graphic poetry in "Birds of a Feather," and practical prompts to help anyone find their voice. Key Takeaways: Finding words for what we feel: How poetry translates intangible emotions into tangible understanding.High school mentorship & the power of early encouragement from teachers and writing clubs.The evolution of poetry: From navigating personal emotional landscapes to social critique and reconciliation.A 3-step writing exercise for self-discovery: "I am...", "I am from...", and "With my voice I will...".Spoken word & Slam Poetry: Creating accessible, communal spaces for direct emotional expression."Birds of a Feather": Collaborating with artist Adam on a graphic poem exploring trauma, healing, and mutual aid.Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & Starting in Poetry with Emotions Before Words 02:30 - First Steps: High School Writing Clubs & Early Encouragement 08:50 - The First Poems & How Writing Has Evolved Over the Years 12:15 - Socially Oriented Poetry & Finding Permission as an Artist 15:35 - Practical Exercise for Writers: "I am...", "I am from...", "With my voice I will..." 21:40 - The Second Step: Taking Up Space & Writing What You're Afraid to Say 26:30 - "Birds of a Feather": Creating a Graphic Poem About Trauma & Healing 34:30 - Page Poetry vs. Spoken Word: Making Poetry Accessible 38:40 - Cultural Diversity in Spoken Word & Multilingual Expression 42:00 - What's Next for Steve Locke & The Winnipeg Poetry Slam 45:00 - Post-Show Reflections: A Letter to 8-Year-Old Me About Our Guest: Steve Locke is a Winnipeg-based poet, spoken word performer, creative writing mentor, and co-director of the Winnipeg Poetry Slam. Hold a degree in creative writing, Steve leads community workshops and creates collaborative works—including his graphic poem "Birds of a Feather"—exploring identity, social structures, trauma recovery, and human connection. https://www.instagram.com/winnipegpoetryslam/ Follow Steve Locke on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevelockewpg Connect With Us: Kahanee: https://www.kahanee.ca | https://instagram.com/kahanee_storiesforpeaceNarratives: https://www.narrativesinc.com | https://instagram.com/narrativesincShow Credits: Host: Somia SadiqGuest: Steve LockeProduced by: Kahanee & NarrativesCurator: Courtney FriesenMusic: Lior Soltz - Glistening Ripples Lullaby (Creative Cut - Dreamy)About Between the Threads: Between the Threads is a podcast by Kahanee, a social enterprise dedicated to storytelling, peacebuilding, and systems change. The podcast is produced in partnership with Narratives, a purpose-driven firm offering holistic consulting in planning, impact assessment, capacity building, and design to empower change across Turtle Island. We acknowledge that this work was created on Indigenous lands. We honour the Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land since time immemorial and continue to do so today. #Winnipeg #SpokenWord #BetweenTheThreads #SteveLocke #PoetrySlam #HealingThroughArt #Storytelling

In the Season 2 finale of Between the Threads, host Somia Sadiq sits down with show curator and partner Courtney Friesen for a reflective retrospective on the season. Together, they revisit core insights from guests like Mayor Scott Gillingham, Desiree Theriault, Jamil Mahmood, Isha Khan, Rabbi Donna Kirshbaum, and Orit Shimoni, exploring how cities tell stories, navigating complex conflict, staying with discomfort, and holding space for grief and joy simultaneously. Key Takeaways: Season 2 Retrospective: Connecting the threads of urban storytelling, placemaking, and peacebuilding.Unpacking harm reduction and unhoused communities with Jamil Mahmood’s insights.The power of nuance: Holding multiple truths, handling messy narratives, and avoiding quick-fix solutions.Embracing conflict, standing with discomfort, and navigating intergenerational family conversations.Re-imagining public spaces: Land-based memorialization, grief, joy, and non-linear healing.The messiness of human success: Why embracing failures and unfinished journeys creates the best stories.Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & Season 2 Retrospective 01:45 - Reflecting on Justine Proulx: Childhood Stories, Tattoos & Dandelion Jam 03:45 - Jamil Mahmood’s Impact: Seeing Unhoused Populations as Communities 08:45 - Isha Khan & Navigating Nuance in Museums & Historical Context 14:30 - Donovan Toews & Critiquing the Cities We Love 17:40 - Staying with Discomfort in Conflict & Hard Family Conversations 25:30 - Desiree Theriault & Re-imagining Memorialization Beyond Grief 31:15 - Never Giving Up on a Place: Reclaiming Belonging in Winnipeg 36:00 - Allyship, Carrying Intersectionality & Taking the Stones 43:00 - Soul-to-Soul Connections vs. Emotional Passion (Orit Shimoni & Rabbi Donna Kirshbaum) 49:30 - Rachel Lancaster’s Meandering Path: Embracing the Messy, Unfinished Journey 52:50 - Closing Reflections on Season 2 & Between the Threads About Our Host: Somia Sadiq is a Pakistani Canadian peace negotiator, planner, doctoral researcher, and founder of Kahanee and Narratives. Inducted into the CIP College of Fellows (FCIP), she specializes in trauma-informed story work and conflict transformation. She is also a published author, speaker, and writer of the novel Gajarah. Follow Somia Sadiq: https://instagram.com/somiasadiq | www.somiasadiq.ca About Our Guest: Courtney Friesen is the Director of Partnerships at Kahanee, bringing a background in marketing, event planning, and organizational leadership to strengthen collaborative efforts across sectors. A lifelong story-listener and advocate for justice, she is passionate about creating environments where people feel seen, heard, and supported. Follow Courtney Friesen on Instagram: https://instagram.com/chaoscurlsandcurves  Connect With Us: Kahanee: https://www.kahanee.ca | https://instagram.com/kahanee_storiesforpeaceNarratives: https://www.narrativesinc.com | https://instagram.com/narrativesincShow Credits: Host: Somia SadiqGuest: Courtney FriesenProduced by: Kahanee & NarrativesCurator: Courtney FriesenMusic: Lior Soltz - Glistening Ripples Lullaby (Creative Cut - Dreamy)About Between the Threads: Between the Threads is a podcast by Kahanee, a social enterprise dedicated to storytelling, peacebuilding, and systems change. The podcast is produced in partnership with Narratives, a purpose-driven firm offering holistic consulting in planning, impact assessment, capacity building, and design to empower change across Turtle Island. We acknowledge that this work was created on Indigenous lands. We honour the Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land since time immemorial and continue to do so today. #Winnipeg #SeasonFinale #BetweenTheThreads #SomiaSadiq #CourtneyFriesen #Storytelling #Peacebuilding #Placemaking

In this episode of Between the Threads, host Somia Sadiq sits down with Jamil Mahmood, Executive Director of Main Street Project and a dedicated advocate for harm reduction, community-led development, and ending homelessness in Winnipeg. From early activism inspired by punk music to international development in Pakistan and Ecuador, Jamil shares insights on meeting people where they're at, deconstructing the "homelessness industrial complex," and building genuine community care. Key Takeaways: Jamil Mahmood’s journey: From punk rock activism and grassroots organizing to executive leadership.Lessons from international development in Lahore and Ecuador: Why solutions must start locally.True harm reduction: What "meeting people where they're at" actually means beyond buzzwords.Deconstructing stigma: Seeing street-entrenched groups as strong, caring, and self-sustaining communities.Re-imagining public spaces, mutual aid, and systemic policy solutions to end visible homelessness.Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & Punk Music as an Entry into Activism 06:00 - Family Influence, Grassroots Organizing & International Development 10:45 - Practicums in Pakistan & Ecuador: Confronting the "Charity Industry" 15:30 - Returning to Winnipeg: Spence Neighbourhood Association & Outreach 18:30 - Leaving the Health System & Joining Main Street Project 20:20 - What "Meeting People Where They're At" Really Means 28:30 - Seeing Street Communities as Real Communities: Rebranding Main & Higgins 33:15 - Reclaiming Public Spaces, Libraries & Mutual Aid 37:00 - Stigma, Language, & The Post-Pandemic Shift in Empathy 40:50 - The "Homelessness Industrial Complex" & Policy-Level Solutions 51:00 - Rebuilding Belonging, Reconnecting to Culture & True Healing 54:00 - Envisioning Winnipeg's Future: Accountability & Systemic Care About Our Guest: Jamil Mahmood is the Executive Director of Main Street Project in Winnipeg. With a background in international development, street outreach, and community organizing, Jamil has spent over two decades advocating for social justice, harm reduction, housing dignity, and grassroots community-led development across Manitoba. Follow Jamil Mahmood and Main Street Project on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamilmahmood | https://www.instagram.com/mainstreetproject Main Street Project website: https://mainstreetproject.ca/ Connect With Us: Kahanee: https://www.kahanee.ca | https://instagram.com/kahanee_storiesforpeaceNarratives: https://www.narrativesinc.com | https://instagram.com/narrativesincShow Credits: Host: Somia SadiqGuest: Jamil MahmoodProduced by: Kahanee & NarrativesCurator: Courtney FriesenMusic: Lior Soltz - Glistening Ripples Lullaby (Creative Cut - Dreamy)About Between the Threads: Between the Threads is a podcast by Kahanee, a social enterprise dedicated to storytelling, peacebuilding, and systems change. The podcast is produced in partnership with Narratives, a purpose-driven firm offering holistic consulting in planning, impact assessment, capacity building, and design to empower change across Turtle Island. We acknowledge that this work was created on Indigenous lands. We honour the Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land since time immemorial and continue to do so today. #Winnipeg #HarmReduction #BetweenTheThreads #JamilMahmood #MainStreetProject #CommunityCare #EndHomelessness

In this episode of Between the Threads, host Somia Sadiq sits down with Winnipeg-based mural and visual artist Rachel Lancaster. From growing up on a rural farm and building her own shed-cabin to transitioning through human resources into a full-time freehand muralist, Rachel shares her journey of self-taught creativity, how murals transform community spaces, and why every blank wall is an opportunity for art. Key Takeaways: Rachel Lancaster’s quirky upbringing: Scavenging animal bones, insulating sheds, and early creative grit.The unexpected pivot from human resource management to self-taught mural painting.How Rachel built a full-time art business alongside her husband and business partner.The art of freehand mural design: Why trusting the process and painting without sketches works.How large-scale public art, custom murals, and community engagement transform urban spaces in Winnipeg.Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & Growing Up "A Little Weird" on the Farm 02:50 - Renovating the Shed & Surviving a Midnight Bird Encounter 06:40 - Living on St. Mary's Road & Community Support at 20 Years Old 09:05 - Studying Human Resources & The "Effective Doodling" Workshop 11:35 - Dollar Store Canvases, Bird Costumes, & Finding the First Mural Job 16:20 - Building Rachel Lancaster Art with Her Husband & Supply Chain Strategy 21:15 - Working 75 Hours a Week & Balancing the Museum Job 23:25 - Going Full-Time During COVID, Pregnancy, & Creating The Leaf Coloring Book 26:20 - Freehand Painting: How Rachel Translates Words & Ideas into Visual Murals 33:45 - The Power of Blank Walls & The Future of Public Art in Winnipeg About Our Guest: Rachel Lancaster is a Winnipeg-based, self-taught visual artist with over a decade of experience creating vibrant canvas art, large-scale public murals, custom furniture, and published coloring books. Known for her distinct freehand style, Rachel brings color, personality, and storytelling to spaces across Manitoba. Follow Rachel Lancaster on Instagram: https://instagram.com/rachel_lancaster_artist Connect With Us: Kahanee: https://www.kahanee.ca | https://instagram.com/kahanee_storiesforpeaceNarratives: https://www.narrativesinc.com | https://instagram.com/narrativesincShow Credits: Host: Somia SadiqGuest: Rachel LancasterProduced by: Kahanee & NarrativesCurator: Courtney FriesenMusic: Lior Soltz - Glistening Ripples Lullaby (Creative Cut - Dreamy)About Between the Threads: Between the Threads is a podcast by Kahanee, a social enterprise dedicated to storytelling, peacebuilding, and systems change. The podcast is produced in partnership with Narratives, a purpose-driven firm offering holistic consulting in planning, impact assessment, capacity building, and design to empower change across Turtle Island. We acknowledge that this work was created on Indigenous lands. We honour the Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land since time immemorial and continue to do so today. #Winnipeg #MuralArt #BetweenTheThreads #RachelLancaster #PublicArt #VisualArt #ArtistJourney

In this episode of Between the Threads, host Somia Sadiq sits down with urban land use planner and Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Planners, Donovan Toews. Together, they explore what makes cities human-centered, the myth of suburban "sprawl," controversial truths about public engagement, how urban design shapes belonging, and how cities tell stories through infrastructure, public art, and language. Key Takeaways: What urban planners actually observe when walking city streets vs. common public misconceptions.The nuance of "sprawl" vs. contiguous suburban development and the power of tree canopies.A hot take on public engagement: Why asking the wrong questions can stall progress on critical infrastructure.How urban systems, cleanliness, and design shape the human psyche and sense of safety.Planning for belonging: Shifting from a mindset of scarcity to abundance in diverse communities.Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & The Rapid-Fire "Planners Game" 03:25 - Deconstructing "Sprawl" & The Importance of Urban Tree Canopies 08:20 - Hot Take on Public Engagement: Portage & Main & When NOT to Consult 15:15 - How Many Maps Are Too Many Maps? 16:20 - The Art of Apologizing & Process in Canadian Culture 21:00 - The First Things a Planner Notices in a New City 24:35 - How Cities Tell Their Stories: Architecture, Signage & Sound 29:45 - Organized Chaos vs. Western Systems: Finding Order in Different Places 33:45 - Curiosity, Big Books of "Why," & Finding City Planning 37:00 - Planning for Belonging: Scarcity vs. Abundance Mindset 40:45 - Managing Change, Fear, & Infrastructure Development 44:55 - College of Fellows Induction & What Lies Ahead About Our Guest: Donovan Toews brings over 25 years of experience in land use planning, development, and public engagement across Canada. As a partner at Landmark Planning & Design and a newly inducted Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Planners (FCIP), Donovan is a skilled negotiator and facilitator recognized for guiding complex, multi-stakeholder urban projects. Follow Donovan Toews and Landmark Planning on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donoisbono | https://www.instagram.com/landmarkwpg Landmark Planning website: https://landmarkplanning.ca/  Connect With Us: Kahanee: https://www.kahanee.ca | https://instagram.com/kahanee_storiesforpeaceNarratives: https://www.narrativesinc.com | https://instagram.com/narrativesincShow Credits: Host: Somia SadiqGuest: Donovan ToewsProduced by: Kahanee & NarrativesCurator: Courtney FriesenMusic: Lior Soltz - Glistening Ripples Lullaby (Creative Cut - Dreamy)About Between the Threads: Between the Threads is a podcast by Kahanee, a social enterprise dedicated to storytelling, peacebuilding, and systems change. The podcast is produced in partnership with Narratives, a purpose-driven firm offering holistic consulting in planning, impact assessment, capacity building, and design to empower change across Turtle Island. We acknowledge that this work was created on Indigenous lands. We honour the Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land since time immemorial and continue to do so today. #Winnipeg #CityPlanning #BetweenTheThreads #DonovanToews #UrbanDesign #Placemaking #LandUse

In this episode of Between the Threads, host Somia Sadiq sits down with Rabbi Donna Kirshbaum, an interfaith hospital chaplain, storyteller, and founding member of Women Wage Peace—Israel’s largest grassroots peace movement. Together, they explore the profound distinction between heart connections and soul connections to land, the anti-arrogance symbolism embedded in synagogues, how women hold space for nuance in conflict, and the courage required to choose the unknown over familiarity. Key Takeaways: Rabbi Donna Kirshbaum’s role in co-founding Women Wage Peace alongside the late Vivian Silver.Heart vs. Soul Connections: Why the soul understands belonging to sacred land beyond emotion or politics.The anti-arrogance architecture of synagogues, from head coverings to the empty womb of the Ark.Carol Gilligan’s research on how women act as custodians of the human voice in patriarchal cultures.The parable of the three children: Why light and soul-led action fill the spaces that mind and heart cannot.Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & Overcoming Childhood Shame 04:45 - The Stolen Cello & Accepting Melancholy in Adulthood 14:07 - What Makes a Place Sacred? Heart Connections vs. Soul Connections 20:45 - Synagogues as Anti-Arrogance Spaces & Symbolism of the Ark 27:32 - Multiple Loves for the Same Land: Carol Gilligan & The Human Voice 34:00 - Parable of the King’s Three Children: Boulders, Feathers & Light 40:32 - Leading with Soul in Middle East Peacemaking 47:43 - The Exodus Story: Choosing the Unknown Over Familiar Slavery 50:44 - Hospital Chaplaincy & Coaxing the Soul to the Surface About Our Guest: Rabbi Donna Kirshbaum is an interfaith hospital chaplain, writer, cellist, and peace activist. A dual American-Israeli citizen, she helped establish Women Wage Peace in 2014 alongside Vivian Silver, building a movement of over 40,000 women demanding a non-violent, negotiated political agreement. Her career spans congregational rabbinics, classical studies, storytelling, and agricultural volunteerism. Connect With Us: Kahanee: https://www.kahanee.ca | https://instagram.com/kahanee_storiesforpeaceNarratives: https://www.narrativesinc.com | https://instagram.com/narrativesincShow Credits: Host: Somia SadiqGuest: Rabbi Donna KirshbaumProduced by: Kahanee & NarrativesCurator: Courtney FriesenMusic: Lior Soltz - Glistening Ripples Lullaby (Creative Cut - Dreamy)About Between the Threads: Between the Threads is a podcast by Kahanee, a social enterprise dedicated to storytelling, peacebuilding, and systems change. The podcast is produced in partnership with Narratives, a purpose-driven firm offering holistic consulting in planning, impact assessment, capacity building, and design to empower change across Turtle Island. We acknowledge that this work was created on Indigenous lands. We honour the Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land since time immemorial and continue to do so today. #Winnipeg #WomenWagePeace #BetweenTheThreads #RabbiDonnaKirshbaum #Peacebuilding #Interfaith #SacredSpace

In this episode of Between the Threads, host Somia Sadiq sits down with Orit Shimoni, a nomadic singer-songwriter, essayist, and former academic who left teaching to pursue music full-time. Having released 13 acclaimed albums and toured across Europe, Canada, and the US, Orit explores how song, metaphor, and philosophy serve as powerful tools for empathy, ethical encounter, and human connection across divided communities. Key Takeaways: Orit Shimoni’s transition from theology and philosophy academia to full-time nomadic songwriting.The philosophy of ethics: Why metaphor is the most ethical form of human communication.How rhythm, vocalization, and songwriting enhance empathy and melt categorical boundaries.Balancing pain and beauty in art, radical honesty, and finding purpose through storytelling.Getting stranded in Winnipeg during the pandemic and transforming an unexpected city into home.Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & Little Orit’s Earliest Memories 06:00 - Transitioning from Academia to Music: Literature, Theology & Philosophy 11:25 - Proving Metaphor as an Ethical Encounter & Emmanuel Levinas 16:45 - The Relational Power of Songwriting & Meeting at Women Wage Peace 22:15 - Carrying Pain & Beauty in Equal Measure: Radical Honesty in Art 25:37 - The Magic of Rhyme & Self-Expression Workshops 30:05 - Folk Traditions, Deepening Meaning & Metaphor in Music 35:43 - Can Music Heal Political Divides? 39:06 - Getting "Trapped" in Winnipeg During the Pandemic 44:40 - Looking to the Future: The Nomadic Mission & Creative Intentionality About Our Guest: Orit Shimoni is a nomadic independent singer-songwriter, painter, essayist, and workshop facilitator. Formerly an academic specializing in ethics, language, and theology, she left the classroom to tour full-time, releasing 13 albums that bridge personal and political themes. Through her music and self-expression workshops, Orit helps others find their voice and cultivate deep empathy. Follow Orit Shimoni on Instagram: https://instagram.com/oritshimonimusic Connect With Us: Kahanee: https://www.kahanee.ca | https://instagram.com/kahanee_storiesforpeaceNarratives: https://www.narrativesinc.com | https://instagram.com/narrativesincShow Credits: Host: Somia SadiqGuest: Orit ShimoniProduced by: Kahanee & NarrativesCurator: Courtney FriesenMusic: Lior Soltz - Glistening Ripples Lullaby (Creative Cut - Dreamy)About Between the Threads: Between the Threads is a podcast by Kahanee, a social enterprise dedicated to storytelling, peacebuilding, and systems change. The podcast is produced in partnership with Narratives, a purpose-driven firm offering holistic consulting in planning, impact assessment, capacity building, and design to empower change across Turtle Island. We acknowledge that this work was created on Indigenous lands. We honour the Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land since time immemorial and continue to do so today. #Winnipeg #Songwriting #BetweenTheThreads #OritShimoni #Metaphor #Peacebuilding #FolkMusic

In this episode of Between the Threads, host Somia Sadiq sits down with Justine Proulx, an Indigenous tattoo and mural artist whose Métis identity is rooted in Ojibwe and Cree ancestry with deep Red River ties. As a descendant of Paul Proulx (who served alongside Louis Riel during the Red River Resistance), Justine shares her journey through Woodland style art, how body art and public murals serve as vehicles for emotional healing, and the power of returning to our roots through visual storytelling. Key Takeaways: Justine Proulx’s heritage as a Red River Métis, Ojibwe, and Cree artist descended from Paul Proulx.The history and spiritual symbolism of Woodland style painting and medicine art.How tattooing and cover-up art serve as tools for trauma processing, mental health, and body reclamation.Creating large-scale public murals, including the 200+ foot RBC Convention Centre installation in Winnipeg.The role of art as a universal language for community healing and decolonization.Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & Little Justine Growing Up Artistic 05:10 - Why Kids Lose Creative Freedom & Encouraging Young Artists 07:50 - The Path to Tattooing: From Copying Magazines to Metamorphosis 12:00 - How Tattoos Tell Stories, Commemorate Milestones & Process Grief 15:13 - Can Tattoos Heal? Body Piercing, Autonomy & Reclaiming Control 19:03 - The Power of Cover-Up Tattoos: FACELIFTS & Overcoming Harmful Memories 22:30 - Public Murals as Urban Storytelling & Accidental Mural Painting 30:13 - Red River Ties: Descending from Paul Proulx & Louis Riel’s Council 35:25 - Understanding Woodland Art: Symbols, Relationships & Medicine Painting 39:23 - The RBC Convention Centre Mural: "Returning to Our Roots" & Treaty 1 45:02 - Art as a Universal Healer & What's Next for Justine About Our Guest: Justine Proulx is an Indigenous tattoo and mural artist specializing in Woodland style art. Her Métis identity is rooted in Ojibwe and Cree ancestry, with deep ties to the Red River Resistance through her ancestor Paul Proulx. Through tattooing, public murals, and youth workshops, Justine explores relationships between spirit, nature, and people to spark dialogue around identity, resilience, and decolonization. Follow Justine Proulx on Instagram: https://instagram.com/justineproulx Connect With Us: Kahanee: https://www.kahanee.ca | https://instagram.com/kahanee_storiesforpeaceNarratives: https://www.narrativesinc.com | https://instagram.com/narrativesincShow Credits: Host: Somia SadiqGuest: Justine ProulxProduced by: Kahanee & NarrativesCurator: Courtney FriesenMusic: Lior Soltz - Glistening Ripples Lullaby (Creative Cut - Dreamy)About Between the Threads: Between the Threads is a podcast by Kahanee, a social enterprise dedicated to storytelling, peacebuilding, and systems change. The podcast is produced in partnership with Narratives, a purpose-driven firm offering holistic consulting in planning, impact assessment, capacity building, and design to empower change across Turtle Island. We acknowledge that this work was created on Indigenous lands. We honour the Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land since time immemorial and continue to do so today. #Winnipeg #WoodlandArt #BetweenTheThreads #JustineProulx #IndigenousArt #TattooArtist #RedRiverMetis

In this episode of Between the Threads, host Somia Sadiq sits down with Isha Khan, lawyer and CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR), to explore human rights, belonging, and the power of ethical storytelling. Together, they discuss Isha’s journey from labor lawyer to leading a national museum, navigating institutional transformation, and the responsibility visitors carry when engaging with sacred and historic stories. Key Takeaways: Isha Khan’s transition from labor and human rights lawyer to CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.How growing up in Winnipeg as the child of immigrants shaped her passion for justice and equity.Overcoming institutional challenges, compassion fatigue, and rebuilding trust through internal change.The role of museums in stewarding survivor stories with dignity and care rather than extraction.The visitor's responsibility in relational learning and engaging meaningfully with human rights exhibits.Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & Little Isha Growing Up in Winnipeg 03:47 - The Journey to Law & Finding Passion in Human Rights 11:00 - Transitioning to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights 13:53 - Internal Healing, Institutional Change & Rebuilding Trust 18:57 - Grounding Human Rights as a Foundation, Not Just a North Star 25:35 - Highlighting Transformative Exhibits: Music, Purge Survivors & The Witness Blanket 31:22 - Navigating Contested Histories & Balancing Human Rights 36:30 - Decolonizing Museums & Moving from Extraction to Relational Learning 44:06 - What Lies Ahead for Isha Khan & Upcoming CMHR Exhibitions About Our Guest: Isha Khan is a lawyer and human rights advocate who serves as the CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Throughout her extensive career in labor law and public service, including her previous role as Executive Director of the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, she has dedicated her work to promoting human rights, dignity, equality, and systemic change. Follow Isha Khan and Canadian Museum for Human Rights on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isha_khan204 | https://www.instagram.com/humanrights.ca Canadian Museum for Human Rights website: https://humanrights.ca/  Connect With Us: Kahanee: https://www.kahanee.ca | https://instagram.com/kahanee_storiesforpeaceNarratives: https://www.narrativesinc.com | https://instagram.com/narrativesincShow Credits: Host: Somia SadiqGuest: Isha KhanProduced by: Kahanee & NarrativesCurator: Courtney FriesenMusic: Lior Soltz - Glistening Ripples Lullaby (Creative Cut - Dreamy)About Between the Threads: Between the Threads is a podcast by Kahanee, a social enterprise dedicated to storytelling, peacebuilding, and systems change. The podcast is produced in partnership with Narratives, a purpose-driven firm offering holistic consulting in planning, impact assessment, capacity building, and design to empower change across Turtle Island. We acknowledge that this work was created on Indigenous lands. We honour the Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land since time immemorial and continue to do so today. #Winnipeg #HumanRights #BetweenTheThreads #CMHR #IshaKhan #Storytelling #Peacebuilding

In this episode of Between the Threads, host Somia Sadiq sits down with award-winning Métis land designer Desirée Thériault to explore trauma-informed design, land-based memorialization, and Indigenous spatial reclamation. Together, they discuss how landscapes carry memory, the role of design in honoring missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG2S+), and how thoughtful urban design shapes belonging across Winnipeg. Key Takeaways: Desirée Thériault’s journey from growing up outdoors to becoming a Métis land designer.The concept of trauma-informed design and land-based memorialization.How the land carries memory and honors missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG2S+).The power of active public spaces, Indigenous placemaking, and spatial reclamation.Top places in Winnipeg that showcase the city's rich ecological and cultural history.Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & Little Desirée’s Connection to the Land 03:51 - Finding Landscape Architecture & "Designing First Kisses" 09:12 - Memorialization as Healing & MMIWG2S+ Spatial Reclamation 15:29 - Land-Based Memorials & How Places Hold Memory 22:33 - Designing the Alexander Docks & Sacred Public Spaces 34:16 - Uncovering Hidden Stories in Winnipeg’s Exchange District 39:04 - Desiree’s Top 5 Winnipeg Places to Experience Story & Land 47:15 - The Responsibility of Holding Stories in Design About Our Guest: Desirée Thériault is an award-winning Métis land designer and partner at Narratives. Grounded in trauma-informed design, her work weaves Indigenous cultural resurgence, memory, and storytelling into landscape practice, specializing in memorialization, resilient placemaking, and Indigenous reclamation. Follow Desirée Thériault on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/by.desiree Connect With Us: Kahanee: https://www.kahanee.ca | https://instagram.com/kahanee_storiesforpeaceNarratives: https://www.narrativesinc.com | https://instagram.com/narrativesincShow Credits: Host: Somia SadiqGuest: Desirée ThériaultProduced by: Kahanee & NarrativesCurator: Courtney FriesenMusic: Lior Soltz - Glistening Ripples Lullaby (Creative Cut - Dreamy)About Between the Threads: Between the Threads is a podcast by Kahanee, a social enterprise dedicated to storytelling, peacebuilding, and systems change. The podcast is produced in partnership with Narratives, a purpose-driven firm offering holistic consulting in planning, impact assessment, capacity building, and design to empower change across Turtle Island. We acknowledge that this work was created on Indigenous lands. We honour the Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land since time immemorial and continue to do so today. #Winnipeg #IndigenousDesign #BetweenTheThreads #LandscapeArchitecture #Metis #Placemaking

In this Season 2 premiere of Between the Threads, Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham joins host Somia Sadiq to explore how faith, compassion, and storytelling shape municipal leadership. From his journey as a pastor to navigating city hall, Mayor Gillingham shares his perspective on the diverse experiences that define Winnipeg and how community connection can drive meaningful systems change across Turtle Island. Key Takeaways: Mayor Scott Gillingham’s personal journey from pastor to 44th Mayor of Winnipeg.How faith, optimism, and values guide leadership through complex social challenges.The role of storytelling and community diversity in building Winnipeg’s social fabric.How municipal policy, representation, and small acts of hospitality build belonging.Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & "Your Worship" Honorifics 03:12 - Scott Gillingham’s Journey: Pastor to Winnipeg Mayor 07:51 - How Cities Tell Their Story: Winnipeg as a Tapestry 17:05 - Creating a City Where Everyone Belongs 26:40 - Building Compassion & The Power of the Table 39:43 - Envisioning Winnipeg's Future & Re-election Goals About Our Guest: Scott Gillingham was elected as Winnipeg's 44th Mayor in October 2022 after serving two terms as City Councillor for the St. James Ward. Prior to municipal politics, Scott was a pastor for over 20 years. Follow Mayor Scott Gillingham on Instagram: https://instagram.com/scottgillingham  Connect With Us: Kahanee: https://www.kahanee.ca | https://instagram.com/kahanee_storiesforpeaceNarratives: https://www.narrativesinc.com | https://instagram.com/narrativesincShow Credits: Host: Somia SadiqGuest: Mayor Scott GillinghamProduced by: Kahanee & NarrativesCurator: Courtney FriesenMusic: Lior Soltz - Glistening Ripples Lullaby (Creative Cut - Dreamy)About Between the Threads: Between the Threads is a podcast by Kahanee, a social enterprise dedicated to storytelling, peacebuilding, and systems change. The podcast is produced in partnership with Narratives, a purpose-driven firm offering holistic consulting in planning, impact assessment, capacity building, and design to empower change across Turtle Island. We acknowledge that this work was created on Indigenous lands. We honour the Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land since time immemorial and continue to do so today. #Winnipeg #MayorScottGillingham #BetweenTheThreads #Leadership

In this Season 1 finale of Between the Threads, host Somia Sadiq sits down with Amna Burki, founder of Stories Matter, oral storyteller, and community advocate with over 20 years of experience. Amna shares her personal journey growing up across Pakistan, navigating the intergenerational trauma and loss of the 1947 Partition, reviving her grandmother’s century-old folk tales, and using the power of oral storytelling to foster healing, hope, and connection across cultures. Key Takeaways: Moving across Pakistan and Kuwait: Cultural adaptation, learning Sindhi, and the feeling of home.The 1947 Partition legacy: Loss of land, lost languages, and preserving history through oral tradition rather than physical artifacts.Reviving the "Kuja" Story: A century-old Punjabi folk tale from Amna's grandmother exploring Akbar the Great, empathy, and the sacredness of raising children.Oral storytelling vs. written text: Why folklore acts as an accessible, ordinary person's vehicle for passing on wisdom.The Parable of the Hummingbird: Why doing small, intentional acts of hope matters in the face of overwhelming fire.Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & The Shortcut Method to Making Chai 02:40 - Growing Up Across Pakistan & Cultural Adaptations 05:35 - Arriving in Winnipeg: Flat Landscapes, Soil Colors, & Redefining Belonging 09:15 - Discovering Oral Storytelling During Lockdown & Reviving Ancestral Legacy 15:10 - Live Storytelling Performance: The Story of Akbar, the Child, & the "Kuja" 21:30 - Unpacking the Layers: Empathy, Power, & Finding Stories That Need to Be Told 24:30 - The 1947 Partition: Lost Languages, Wedding Songs, & Preserving Family History 31:45 - How We Choose Which Stories to Tell: Empowerment, Healing, & Non-Neutrality 34:10 - The Parable of the Hummingbird: Doing the Best You Can in the Face of Fire About Our Host: Somia Sadiq is a Pakistani Canadian peace negotiator, planner, doctoral researcher, and founder of Kahanee and Narratives. Recently inducted into the CIP College of Fellows (FCIP), she specializes in trauma-informed story work and conflict transformation. She is also a published author, speaker, and writer of the upcoming debut novel Gajarah. About Our Guest: Amna Burki is the founder of Stories Matter, an organization dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and fostering connection through oral storytelling. With over two decades of non-profit and community experience, Amna shares folk tales and personal narratives locally and internationally—from California and the UK to Morocco—bringing empathy, intention, and hope to every audience. Follow Amna Burki on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesmatter2023/ Connect With Us: Kahanee: https://www.kahanee.ca | https://instagram.com/kahanee_storiesforpeaceShow Credits: Host: Somia SadiqGuest: Amna BurkiProduced by: KahaneeCurator: Courtney FriesenMusic: 1536_Romantic - HitsLabAbout Between the Threads: Between the Threads is a podcast by Kahanee, a social enterprise dedicated to storytelling, peacebuilding, and systems change. The podcast is produced in partnership with Narratives, a purpose-driven firm offering holistic consulting in planning, impact assessment, capacity building, and design to empower change across Turtle Island. We acknowledge that this work was created on Indigenous lands. We honour the Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land since time immemorial and continue to do so today. #Winnipeg #BetweenTheThreads #SomiaSadiq #AmnaBurki #StoriesMatter #OralStorytelling #PartitionHistory #Peacebuilding

In this episode of Between the Threads, host Somia Sadiq sits down with Dr. Izzeddin Hawamda —anti-racist education professional, founder of Sadaa Echoes, and public speaker. Growing up in the West Bank during the First Intifada, Izzeddin shares how hospitality, food, and oral traditions counter the weight of oppression ("kher"). Together, they explore what titles mean in colonial structures, humanizing the Palestinian narrative, and the revolutionary act of "just being." Key Takeaways: Growing up in Palestine: Balancing the dichotomies of land, family, and hope under military occupation.Food as hospitality: Why sharing a meal is an anti-colonial act that builds instant community ("khalas").Reclaiming academic titles: Using a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies to challenge systems and inspire youth.Sadaa Echoes & Unbounded Stories: Humanizing the Palestinian narrative beyond media stereotypes.The weight of "Kher": How storytelling and joy act as healing counters to intergenerational trauma."Just Being": Why slowing down, code-switching, and staying rooted is the ultimate act of resistance.Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & Meet Dr. Izzeddin Hawamda 02:15 - Growing Up in Palestine: First Intifada, Checkpoints & Family Hope 05:30 - "You Can't Know Someone Until You Eat With Them": Hospitality & Community 08:35 - Reclaiming Titles: Why "Doctor" Matters in Colonial Structures 14:30 - Becoming a Story Carrier: Founding Sada Echoes & Humanizing Narratives 17:40 - Understanding "Kher": Resistance Fatigue & Healing Through Stories 22:00 - Unbounded Stories: Sharing Everyday Joy, Figs, & Olive Trees 27:00 - Code-Switching, Accents, & Creating Spaces for Silence 35:00 - Storytelling 101: How to Invite Others to Share Their Truth 41:15 - "To Just Be": Staying Rooted in a Complicated World 45:00 - Looking Ahead: Bringing Winnipeg to Palestine & Final Thoughts About Our Guest: Dr. Izzeddin Hawamda was born and raised in the West Bank, Palestine. He serves as the Anti-Racist Education Professional Learning Initiative Coordinator across three Winnipeg school divisions. Holding a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Manitoba, he is the founder of Sadaa Echoes and creator of the Unbounded Story series, connecting communities through shared human experiences. https://www.instagram.com/sadaa.echoes/ Connect With Us: Kahanee: https://www.kahanee.ca | https://instagram.com/kahanee_storiesforpeaceShow Credits: Host: Somia SadiqGuest: Dr. Izzeddin HawamdaProduced by: KahaneeCurator: Courtney FriesenMusic: 1536_Romantic - HitsLabAbout Between the Threads: Between the Threads is a podcast by Kahanee, a social enterprise dedicated to storytelling, peacebuilding, and systems change. The podcast is produced in partnership with Narratives, a purpose-driven firm offering holistic consulting in planning, impact assessment, capacity building, and design to empower change across Turtle Island. We acknowledge that this work was created on Indigenous lands. We honour the Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land since time immemorial and continue to do so today. #Winnipeg #BetweenTheThreads #SomiaSadiq #IssadinHammoudeh #SadaEchoes #PalestinianStory #Peacebuilding #Storytelling

In this episode of Between the Threads, host Somia Sadiq sits down with Dr. R.Y. Abdulrehman—clinical psychologist, assistant professor at the University of Manitoba, TEDx speaker, and author of Jin in the Family. Dr. R.Y. Abdulrehman explores the psychology of identity, the gaslighting of immigrant experiences, challenging single narratives of marginalized communities, and the intersection of cultural folklore, mental health, and western diagnostic systems. Key Takeaways: What's in a name? Navigating anglicized names, post-colonial identity, and Dar es Salaam roots.The psychology of immigrant identity: Gaslighting, outsider experiences, and ethnic identity development.Why stories matter scientifically: Moving from single, exaggerated stereotypes toward regression to the mean.Gatekeeping in publishing: Founding Diversity Press to elevate authentic authors of color.Folklore vs. Western Diagnostics: Jin, cultural worldviews, and treating mental health across cultures.Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & The Story Behind a Name 03:15 - Immigrating to Canada: Outsider Experiences & Being Bullied 07:30 - Reclaiming Identity: Why Local Immigrant Experiences Differ 12:50 - The Science of Stories: Media Influence, Culture & Regression to the Mean 16:30 - Gatekeeping in Publishing & Founding Diversity Press 20:45 - Teapot: The Poetry of Angry Black and Brown People 27:30 - Jin in the Family: Folklore, Matriarchs & Zanzibar History 32:00 - Haunted Places, Theology & The Concept of Jin 36:00 - Western Clinical Psychology vs. Cultural Mental Health Experiences 47:00 - How Stories Redefine Community & What Lies Ahead About Our Guest: Dr. R.Y. Abdulrehman is a clinical and consulting psychologist, assistant professor at the University of Manitoba, and founder of Clinic Psychology Manitoba. A national DEI consultant who has worked with organizations like Google, Mastercard Foundation, and CBC, he is the author of Jin in the Family, Teapot, and Developing Anti-Racist Cultural Competence. Follow Dr. R.Y. Abdulrehman: https://instagram.com/dr.r.abdulrehman | https://leadwithdiversity.com/  Connect With Us: Kahanee: https://www.kahanee.ca | https://instagram.com/kahanee_storiesforpeaceShow Credits: Host: Somia SadiqGuest: Dr. R.Y. AbdulrehmanProduced by: KahaneeCurator: Courtney FriesenMusic: 1536_Romantic - HitsLabAbout Between the Threads: Between the Threads is a podcast by Kahanee, a social enterprise dedicated to storytelling, peacebuilding, and systems change. The podcast is produced in partnership with Narratives, a purpose-driven firm offering holistic consulting in planning, impact assessment, capacity building, and design to empower change across Turtle Island. We acknowledge that this work was created on Indigenous lands. We honour the Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land since time immemorial and continue to do so today. #Winnipeg #BetweenTheThreads #SomiaSadiq #RehmanAbdulrehman #ClinicalPsychology #JinInTheFamily #Storytelling #Peacebuilding

In this episode of Between the Threads, host Somia Sadiq sits down with Kristie Pearson, recipient of the Order of Manitoba and Founder & President of Linking Hope. Kristie shares her journey from corporate marketing to non-profit leadership, mobilizing time, talent, and treasure to support over 100 frontline agencies. Together, they explore how stories build empathy, the power of small acts of kindness, and what it truly means to practice active allyship. Key Takeaways: Growing up in Winnipeg: Competitive spirit, curiosity, and learning from diverse friend groups.The genesis of Linking Hope: Turning a glass of wine and an email during 2020 lockdowns into millions of dollars in community aid.The power of small items: How a simple soup ladle or winter jacket restore dignity and hope for single mothers.De-siloing communities: Overcoming screen-based polarization through face-to-face storytelling and human connection.Allyship as an active verb: Standing up for marginalized voices, carrying the load, and taking the time to listen.Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & Meet Kristie Pearson 01:45 - Growing Up Competitive: Multi-Tasking, Riverview Roots & Diverse Friendships 07:00 - The Origin of Linking Hope: From a Garage Full of Supplies to $2.6M in Impact 12:30 - Defining Hope: Small Acts of Kindness & The Story of the Soup Ladle 17:50 - How Stories Build Empathy & Break Down Unconscious Biases 22:00 - Polarization & Algorithms: Why We Must Seek Out Diverse Perspectives 25:30 - The Tower of Knowledge Analogy: Meeting People Where They Are 28:15 - Active Allyship: Why "Ally" is a Verb, Not a Noun 31:10 - Small Things Matter: Finding Happiness Through Giving Back About Our Guest: Kristie Pearson is the Founder & President of Linking Hope, a non-profit connecting businesses and individuals with frontline community agencies. Recipient of the Order of Manitoba (2025) and former United Way Winnipeg Campaign Chair, Kristie is recognized for her transformative impact on community life, healthcare fundraising, and grassroots advocacy. https://www.instagram.com/kristie_pearsonp/ Follow Linking Hope: https://instagram.com/linkinghopewpg | https://www.linkinghope.ca/  Connect With Us: Kahanee: https://www.kahanee.ca | https://instagram.com/kahanee_storiesforpeaceShow Credits: Host: Somia SadiqGuest: Kristie  PearsonProduced by: KahaneeCurator: Courtney FriesenMusic: 1536_Romantic - HitsLabAbout Between the Threads: Between the Threads is a podcast by Kahanee, a social enterprise dedicated to storytelling, peacebuilding, and systems change. The podcast is produced in partnership with Narratives, a purpose-driven firm offering holistic consulting in planning, impact assessment, capacity building, and design to empower change across Turtle Island. We acknowledge that this work was created on Indigenous lands. We honour the Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land since time immemorial and continue to do so today. #Winnipeg #BetweenTheThreads #SomiaSadiq #ChristyPearson #LinkingHope #CommunityBuilding #Storytelling #Peacebuilding