Welcome to MCC Ontario's first podcast!
Undercurrents is an immersive way of sharing the stories we are privileged to hear through our work. We are excited to launch Season 3 after building on the success of the first two seasons.
Most of the stories will be from our local programs here in Ontario but we may occasionally jump out to stories from across Canada or even internationally.
Undercurrents is sponsored by our friends at Kindred Credit Union. Huge thank you for your unwavering support!
Listen and subscribe on Spotify, Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, and others!
Season 3:
Episode 20 - Special guest: Malcolm Gladwell!
In this very special episode, we sit down with best-selling author, public speaker, podcast wizard, and honorary Mennonite, Malcolm Gladwell. We cover a lot of ground - from pacifism, to soccer, to climate change, and more.
Transcription is here.
Episode 19 - Soup
"Somebody has to do something. It's crazy that we've got people that want to work and there is no job."
We talk with Suzi and Lucas, two soup chefs who have found meaningful work, #livingwage and a welcoming community at The Raw Carrot. We also hear from The Raw Carrot co-found Rebecca Sherbino. Find out how one bowl of soup can change the world.
Transcription is here.
Want to go deeper on this topic with your class/church/community group? Find the companion discussion resource here.
Update: "Checkpoint" with Izzy Hawamda
In Season 2, Ep 8 ("Home") of Undercurrents, we were privileged to hear the poetry of Palestinian poet and teacher Izzeddin Hawamda. We had so much positive feedback from Izzy's poems that I invited Izzy back to share a new poem he wrote while visiting his home in the West Bank earlier this year, as well as new insights into life for Palestinians under occupation.
Read the transcription here.
Episode 18 - "You need to chill!" and other lessons from SALT.
This is a special episode - a conversation between the Undercurrents team Ken Ogasawara and Christen Kong about their shared experience of doing the SALT program nearly 20 years apart. Some hard times, some funny times, and always a good time.
Transcription is here.
Episode 17 - Lay of the Land
"I had to take my own leadership and not everybody was happy about that, let me tell you."
In the newest episode of Undercurrents, Colleen Hookimaw shows us the lay of the (physical and metaphorical) land. We talk smoked geese, 5000 pounds of potatoes and maggots. We also explore historical challenges to Indigenous food sovereignty in Canada.
Want to go deeper on this topic with your class/church/community group? Find the companion discussion resource here.
#IndigenousNeighbours
Episode 16 - Bidder Sweet: A Quilt to Remember
We go back in time to investigate the heart-pounding, sweaty-palm-inducing thrill of the greatest quilt auction ever caught on tape. Join us for a fun bonus episode of Undercurrents that will whet your appetite for the coming relief sale season!
#NHMRS
Season 2:
Episode 15 - "Chuck"
This episode covers some heavy topics, including pedophilia and suicide. We don’t go into details, but please take care as you listen.
In this final full episode of Season 2, we hear from Chuck, a man who both experienced and caused great suffering. We also hear from his therapist, as we ask ourselves 'how can we keep our community safe from sexual harm'? The answer might not be what we expect.
Want to go deeper on this topic with your class/church/community group? Find the companion discussion resource here.
#RestorativeJustice
Episode 14 - "John"
This episode covers some heavy topics, including pedophilia and suicide. We don’t go into details, but please take care as you listen.
This story is about a father's anguish and pain, as well as resilient hope and love as he walks through unimaginable challenges with his son who has committed a crime. Part 1 of a two-part series on Restorative Justice and Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA).
Want to go deeper on this topic with your class/church/community group? Find the companion discussion resource here.
#RestorativeJustice
Episode 13 - "I Believe in Miracles"
We hear the story of someone whose life was saved through not one, but multiple miracles. We explore the questions: What are miracles? Have you experienced one? And is it possible to work miracles ourselves?
Want to go deeper on this topic with your class/church/community group? Find the companion discussion resource here.
#RefugeeSponsorship
Episode 12 - "Making a Living"
In this episode, we explore what it means to "make a living" - what does that mean? How much is enough? And what happens when you can't make it? Also, we explain why we love Kindred Credit Union so much.
Want to go deeper on this topic with your class/church/community group? Find the companion discussion resource here.
#WalkingWithPeopleInPoverty
Episode 11 - "Saving The Evidence (re-release)"
This episode is from Season 1 and originally aired in spring of 2020 but with the renewed and urgent calls for accountability and truth-telling after the recovery of graves starting at Kamloops Residential School, we wanted to share this story again. We learn about the oldest Residential School in Canada and hear a powerful story from a survivor. We hear from settlers who are wrestling with the legacy of colonialism and residential schools. And we hear from Indigenous partners who are courageously reclaiming their culture.
Transcription is here.
Want to go deeper on this topic with your class/church/community group? Find the companion discussion resource here.
#IndigenousNeighbours
Episode 10 - "Giving gifts/receiving gifts"
Why MCC's relief materials are created as gifts and how one such hand-made item changed the life of one young girl in a refugee camp over forty years ago.
Transcription is here.
Want to go deeper on this topic with your class/church/community group? Find the companion discussion resource here.
#MaterialResources
Episode 9 - "Merle's Story" (Re-release)
"We must own the whole story." How a former residential school worker reconciles his past and how his story challenges all of us beyond our good intentions. Powerful listening for all settlers on this land we call Canada.
Want to go deeper on this topic with your class/church/community group? Find the companion discussion resource here.
Transcription is here.
#IndigenousNeighbours
Episode 8 - "Home"
Israeli Jewish filmmaker Lia Tarachansky shares a powerful story of shared humanity, shared home, and challenges all of us who live on settled land.
Palestinian poet Izzy Hawamda shares beautiful art throughout this episode as he grieves the ongoing tragedies of the occupation, as well as sharing his hopes for the future.
Transcription is here.
Want to go deeper on this topic with your class/church/community group? Find the companion discussion resource here.
#PalestineIsrael
Early release Ep 7 - "Merle's Story"
*This is a special early release of one episode from the upcoming Season 2 of Undercurrents. Look for the rest of Season 2 launching on September 21st!
This is the story of how one man, who used to work at a residential school, has spent the rest of his life trying to hold himself accountable, and what it means for other Settler Canadians.
Transcription is here.
Want to go deeper on this topic with your class/church/community group? Find the companion discussion resource here.
#IndigenousNeighbours
Season 1:
Update 2 - "We are listening"
Listeners call in from around the world with messages of insight, gratitude, and inspiration for our interview subjects ... and one call that missed the mark but made the cut.
Thank you to all who responded!
Transcription is here.
Episode 6 - "Save the evidence"
We hear stories from a residential school survivor that she refuses to tell her own family; we hear from indigenous partners who are working to reclaim their culture; and settlers wrestle with their evolving relationship with Canada (it’s complicated).
Want to go deeper on this topic with your class/church/community group? Find the companion discussion resource here.
Transcription can be found here.
#IndigenousNeighbours
Episode 5 - "David and Goliath"
This is our only international episode in Season 1. We explore the tragic realities of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation, and hear from those on both sides of the wall working for peace.
Want to go deeper on this topic with your class/church/community group? Find the companion discussion resource here.
Transcription is here.
#PalestineIsrael
Episode 4 - "Radical acceptance"
Restaurants and restorative justice. Shame vs accountability. And what it takes to be a bridge from prison to community.
Want to go deeper on this topic with your class/church/community group? Find the companion discussion resource here.
Transcription is here.
#RestorativeJustice
Episode 3 - "Refugees and piano lessons"
Forced migration, the unique way Canadians can protect lives, and how music is helping one resettled family stay grounded.
Want to go deeper on this topic with your class/church/community group? Find the companion discussion resource here.
Transcription is here.
#RefugeeSponsorship
Episode 2 - "Wayne's world"
From a childhood lesson, to homelessness, to dress shopping, Wayne shares one of the most valuable things we can receive: the gift of a stranger’s story.
Want to go deeper on this topic with your class/church/community group? Find the companion discussion resource here.
Transcription is here.
#WalkingWithPeopleInPoverty
Episode 1 - "Being Jesus"
This episode is about homelessness, an obnoxious ex-pastor, and the age old question: What would Jesus do (and why don’t we do it)?
Want to go deeper on this topic with your class/church/community group? Find the companion discussion resource here.
Transcription is here.
#WalkingWithPeopleInPoverty
Season 1 Trailer:
Welcome to MCC Ontario's first podcast!
Undercurrents is an experiment - a new way of sharing the stories we are privileged to hear through our work. From starting a new life after prison, to piano lessons in a new world, we hear from program participants, volunteers, staff, and others, who face each day with courage and hope.
Original music by Brian MacMillan.