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PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY CAMECO
Thank you to Cameco Ontario for sponsoring the 'Life Outside the Box' podcast through their Step up for Mental Health initiative.
Honest conversations about mental health.
Life Outside the Box is a youth mental health podcast that takes a deeper dive into the issues that affect youth – from a youth perspective.
What do you want to talk about? On this podcast, no topic is off limits, and we're back for a second season! Hosted by mental health advocates Asante Haughton and Abby Kernya, Life Outside the Box is a series of interviews with young people from all walks of life: from students and athletes, to artists and activists. Asante, Abby and guests explore every topic with wit, grace and remarkable insight.
Find us on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you get your audio podcasts.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Do you have a guest suggestion or want to be guest on our podcast?
Please send an e-mail with the subject line 'Guest Podcast Submission' to editors@the44north.ca
Include: name, contact, relevant links, a 150-word description of why we need to talk to them
SEASON 3
Episode 12: Finding Strength in the Face of Overhwleming Circumstances
Season 3 starts with a pivotal interview: athlete, mental health advocate, non-profit founder and survivor of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, Ryan Straschnitzki. Episode 12 is a deeply meaningful, honest and hopeful conversation about facing adversity, finding strength and the mindset needed to push forward in the wake of unspeakable pain and loss.
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
View on our YouTube Channel
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Episode 13: Managing Your Emotions Under Pressure (and Overcoming Fear!)
Our first episode of 2024 is an interview with acclaimed Performance Psychologist Dr. Dana Sinclair. "Everybody wants results. We all want to be better at whatever we do." In an episode that is both practical and inspiring, Dr. Sinclair talks with our co-hosts about staying calm and focused under pressure and how to use your head to get the best out of yourself whatever the situation - whether it's in sports, school, work or life.
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
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Episode 14 (LIVE): Building Financial Resilience
'Mapping Futures" 2024 was a live event in Toronto on Thursday May 30th. The evening included a live recording or Life Outside the Box, focused on navigating the cost of living crisis and building financial resilience. Includes a pre-podcast seminar with financial therapist, Aseel El-Baba. Featuring co-hosts Asante Haughton and Abbigail Kernya, with guests Barira Manzoor, Kritika Sharda and Natalie Chattargoon 'Rare'.
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
View on our YouTube Channel
Visit Buzzsprout for a ful lisit of audio platforms
Episode 15: Podcasting, Story Telling and "Levelling Up"
"Focus on finding those small wins as [much as] possible, because it gives you that confidence." Our hosts take an in-depth look at the ups and downs of podcasting, sharing life experiences, and how to keep challenging yourself with the host of the "Oh My Curry Goodness", Hamza Islam.
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
View on our YouTube Channel
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We rely on the generosity of our donors/sponsors to continue developing this series and releasing episodes of 'Life Outside the Box'. Please e-mail editors@the44north.ca to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
SEASON 2
Episode 6: Youth Activism with Arissa Roy
In our first episode of Season 2, Abbigale and Asante chat with Arissa Roy - Youth Activist, Advocate, Author, and founder of Project Power Global. Join our co-hosts for a truly empowering conversation that will lift you up.
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
View on our YouTube Channel
Visit Buzzsprout for a ful lisit of audio platforms
Episode 7: The Indigenous Experience and Youth Mental Health
Episode 7 focuses on the indigenous experience and how it connects to youth mental health. A powerful and profound conversation with Samantha Crowe, a social worker and an Anishnaabe Kwe from Lake Helen First Nation; and Elton Beardy, a cultural educator, storyteller, and writer based in Thunder Bay, Ontario. This is an episode that will both make you think, and inspire hope.
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
View on our YouTube Channel
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Episode 8: On Being a Youth Author with Matthew Dawkins
What does it mean to be an artist? Episode 8 dives into this question and beyond with Matthew Dawkins, an award-winning young author and poet whose work explores subject matters including adolescence, race, nationhood, and mental health. "Until We Break" is his debut novel. Follow him on IG: @matthewd_writes and Twitter: @matthewd_writes
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
View on our YouTube Channel
Visit Buzzsprout for a ful lisit of audio platforms
Episode 9: The Power of Poetry with Banoo Zan
"Poetry is closer to the human soul… it connects you to that inner, old soul of humanity.” A candid and powerful conversation with Iranian born poet, writer and activist Bänoo Zan - on the power of poetry, freedom of speech and feminism in 2023.
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
View on our YouTube Channel
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Episode 10 (LIVE): Managing Anxiety about the Future
Recorded live in Toronto on May 30th, this panel discussion brought together a diverse group of young people to reflect on managing anxiety about the future. Featuring co-hosts Asante Haughton and Abbigail Kernya, with guests Arissa Roy, Matthew Dawkins, Tosan Tosanwumi and Dancia Susilo.
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
View on our YouTube Channel
Visit Buzzsprout for a ful lisit of audio platforms
Episode 11: Grief, Loss, and Social Media with Micah Dawanyi and Angelica Galluzzo
Guests Micah Dawanyi and Angelica Galluzzo join our co-hosts for a dive deep into a nuanced discussion of grief, loss, and the impacts of social media on mental health in young people.
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
View on our YouTube Channel
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SEASON 1
Episode 1: Seize the Pandemic Day
In our first episode, we have a conversation with Western University student Helena Nikitopoulos about student mental health during the pandemic, coping with the anxiety of being back at school, and what really matters in life.
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
View on our YouTube Channel
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Episode 2: Youth Athletes and Mental Health with Mikaela Brewer
In this episode, Asante and Abby sit down with elite athlete and mental health advocate Mikaela Brewer for a candid and honest discussion about youth mental health, including the unique challenges that young athletes face.
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
View on our YouTube Channel
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Episode 3: Disordered Eating and Diet Culture with Patrice Cammarano
In our third episode, the co-hosts have a conversation with University student and mental health advocate, Patrice Cammarano, for a discussion on the complexity of eating disorders, diet culture and more.
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
View on our YouTube Channel
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Episode 4: Finding Your Passion and Purpose with Hailey Hechtman
In episode 4, Asante and Abby talk with advocate Hailey Hechtman about finding your passion through your purpose. They dive into topics such as internalized beliefs, the exploration of career possibilities and how to "let go of expectations & enjoy the journey".
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
View on our YouTube Channel
Visit Buzzsprout for a ful lisit of audio platforms
Episode 5: Healthy Masculinity with Ryan Forsyth
In episode 5, our co-hosts have a powerful conversation with podcast host and award winning mental health advocate Ryan Forsyth, on the topic of youth mental health and masculinity, + redefining what healthy masculinity looks like.
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
View on our YouTube Channel
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OUR HOSTS
"Change needs to happen in our heads before it can happen anywhere else.
The first step is simply believing, truly believing, that change is possible."
- Asante Haughton
Asante Haughton has emerged as a leader in mental health. A veteran of the speaker circuit, Asante has presented across the globe, including doing TEDx talks telling stories detailing how family trauma impact mental health. Through his work, Asante was also named as a CAMH 150 Difference Maker, being awarded the distinction of being one of the top 150 difference makers in Canadian mental health.
Having firmly entrenched himself in the mental health space at large, Asante is now devoting his time, energy and focus to the intersections of race and mental health, seeking to amplify the myriad experiences of Blackness across the diaspora in order to shed light on the ways in which being Black in a world that seeks to diminish Blackness impacts the mental health of Black people. Asante believes in confronting current and historical truths about our world and the human condition, however uncomfortable those truths may be, in order to move toward healing.
When not trying to save the world, Asante can be found laughing at his own jokes, Netflix'ing, checking his fantasy football stats, watching cartoons, and being frustrated with Toronto sports teams (except the Toronto Raptors!). Though Asante can be pretty laid back, he is loud about his advocacy and drive for change as he aims to deliver a message of social awareness, justice, community betterment, and above all, hope.
"The lessons and experiences we gained as a species through so many historical events in the past months have shaped us into new, more resilient humans. [...] It matters now more than ever that we come together in support, and use our voice during times of need."
- Abby Kernya
Abbigale Kernya is a second-year English student at Trent University in Ontario, Canada. She is passionate about all things books, writing, and youth mental health. As the Youth Editor for KBI Inspire Magazine, Abby writes a wide variety of book reviews, recommendations, and feature stories.
Abby is also an accomplished musician; she has been playing guitar for over 6 years and currently plays in a four piece band called HERA. Her all-time favourite albums are Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars by David Bowie, Fine Line by Harry Styles, Meddle by Pink Floyd, and Rumours by Fleetwood Mac.