Welcome to the CREATE Podcast Showcase! Sit back and enjoy listening!
On Representation By Adam Barkworth
On Representation is a four part radio show that explores the theory and practice of representation. Representatives have important, often competing, obligations to their party, voters, and the public interest. How do they navigate these interests? How should they? Michael MacKenzie and Adam Barkworth explore these challenges and how we can improve representation with support from interviews from political actors such as the mayor of Nanaimo and thinkers like Jane Mansbridge
Who Gets to Play? Recreation Access for Low Income Families By Delaney McIntyre
Through an interview with Lara Clarkson from the City of Nanaimo, this podcast explores recreation access for low-income families and considers what needs to change in how program and spaces are designed moving forward.
Swearing Without Borders By Devin Cvitanovich
This short podcast is intended for adults who want to learn something new while also having a laugh. The topic explores how swear words differ around the world, but also how they are similar and connect us. There is explicit language used throughout this podcast.
The Places and Traces of Youth By Grace Allen
The lives of teenagers and youth are full of change. Through the progression of high school, increased presence on social media, fluctuation of friend groups, and the changing of personal identity, teenagers and youth exist in a world where it is often hard to find a safe space of belonging without segregation within this fast-paced, often overwhelming time of their lives. This podcast is a safe space for families and seeks to act as a first step to improve the relationship between youth and their parents/carers, to help them feel less isolated from society through helping them to find safe spaces where they are free to be themselves in public and with their families, so that their relationships remain healthy and dependable. It seeks to help both the parents and the teenager in this new change in their lives. It also embraces the changing identities of youth, and celebrates this time in their lives, all whilst encouraging people to aid teenagers through this journey of finding themselves.
From Hidden Gems to Hotspots: The Power of Travel Influencers By Ayja Hugh
This podcast explores how travel influencers shape modern tourism and the impact they have on fragile destinations. While social media can boost visibility and promote sustainable travel, it can also lead to overtourism, environmental damage, and tension within local communities. Drawing on recent research, the episode highlights both the benefits and risks of influencer-driven travel, including the rise of social media-induced tourists.
Language Matters: Polyvocalism By Denise Slade
An introduction to polyvocalism and code-switching for young children. Playful and educational, this brief conversation presents linguistic concepts in an accessible manner for kids
Whistles and Wisdom: The Spaces and Traces of Gender in Volleyball Refereeing By Faith Rompain
How can a space be simultaneously feminine and male dominated? This podcast explores the interesting dynamics of volleyball refereeing and how the sport can function as a male-dominated space and a stereotypically feminine sport. Through a conversational and light-hearted discussion, the episode takes a brief look through the history of volleyball, present statistics on players and referees in Canada, and considers the experience of female volleyball referees. Aimed at fellow referees, this podcast is intended to spark reflection and increase awareness in the officiating community, and with a little bit of luck, listeners may see the court from a new perspective.
Disconnecting to Reconnect: A Practitioners Guide to Addressing Nature Deficit Disorder By Hunter Hieta
In this podcast, I will explore the growing phenomenon of Nature Deficit Disorder and ways to address it. Moving beyond gaining attention and using buzzwords, there will be a breakdown of the Attention Restoration Theory, and a hands-on "Practitioners Guide” for designing spaces that are restorative and foster genuine nature connections. It’s time to program nature opportunities that mitigate constraints to outdoor participation, and shift success metrics from profit and participation to empathy and stewardship towards nature.
Is Public Recreation Too Vanilla? By Laurel Hayes
Public recreation is home to a wide variety of programs for individuals of all ages, abilities, and stages of life. Adult offerings take up the majority of program guides but are commonly missing the adult engagement. “Is Public Recreation Too Vanilla” a conversation and question unpacked and considered with VIU Student, Laurel Hayes. This conversation includes ideas like recreation importances, leisure constraints, recreation offerings, and how to “spice” up opportunities.
Data Security in the Hotel Industry By Melany Liu
This podcast explores the critical issue of data security and privacy protection in the hotel industry. It explains why hotels are prime targets for cyberattacks, shares real-world data breach cases from major chains like Marriott, Hilton, and IHG, and outlines the tangible risks guests face, such as identity theft, credit card fraud, and phishing scams. The episode also provides actionable, practical tips for travelers to safeguard their personal information during hotel stays, and connects these topics to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing that secure digital systems and privacy protection are foundational to building a sustainable, trustworthy tourism industry.
Exploring Mental Health and Identity of Retiring Athletes By Rocco Calabrese
This podcast is a short conversation between the host and a current university-level athlete. During the podcast, the host asks questions to understand more about the athletes' perceptions, understanding, and preparation for their eventual retirement. The guest shares their thoughts and experiences in relation to each question, giving strong insight for the host and for viewers from a high-level athlete. The first core purpose of the podcast is to raise awareness about some of the mental health and identity struggles and challenges athletes face when they are forced to retire unexpectedly. Along with this, a secondary purpose is to showcase and inform people of the tools or strategies that can be utilized to mitigate those challenges.
Raised on Tech: The Effects of Screen Time on Child Development By Stefanie Decarie
Screen time is on the rise for youths. In this podcast the detrimental effects that algorithms, passive media consumption, and excessive screen time use have on children will be discussed by VIU Geography student, Stefanie Decarie. Guest speaker, Jocelynn Homan, a VIU Education student, joins the podcast to delve into her observations of how screen time has impacted the classroom.
Effects of In-School Arts Education on Development of Competencies and Skills By Maarten Tros
Maarten Tros is a primary school teacher and a music specialist, passionate about in school arts education. As a MEd student at VIU he discusses educational leadership decisions on cuts in arts education. Why could you do it and why shouldn’t you? What does research tell us about beneficial effects on 21st Century skills? Or social-emotional development? All the answers will be in this creative episode, including a rap and a guitar song.
Navigating the Automation By Ravneet Singh
As robots start rolling into hotel lobbies, and AI takes over the front desk, the hospitality industry is hitting a massive identity crisis. This episode explores the tricky balance between high-tech efficiency and the human touch that actually makes a hotel stay feel good. Using 2025 research and real-life stories, we navigate the “Enhancement vs. Substitution Theory” to ask the big question: Is the technology here to replace our future jobs, or just to make them better? From the “Algorithmic Paradox” to the emotional gap of “Social Presence, “ this deep dive is a roadmap for anyone who believes that while a machine can deliver a room key, only a human can make you feel like you belong.
Backcountry Meets Social Media By Sarah Van Schaik
In this podcast, I discuss the implications social media can have on the backcountry. Diving into the impact of undereducated hikers on trails, and the influence of social media. After explaining the research behind the topic, we end the podcast with a Q&A.
Resilient Huatulco: Tourism, Work, and the Future of Coastal Destinations By Sylvia Corante
This episode explores how destination resilience in Huatulco, Mexico, extends beyond infrastructure to the people who sustain tourism systems. Framed through a regional tourism systems perspective, the discussion highlights how workforce capacity and employee well-being function as critical levers for adapting to environmental, economic, and operational shocks. Key themes include the role of integrated workforce training (technical, intercultural, digital, and emergency preparedness skills), the importance of decent work and psychological well-being in sustaining service quality, and the need for cross-sector collaboration among government, industry, and education providers.
Ultimately, the episode positions human capital as the foundation of resilient destinations, proposing that strengthening people—not just infrastructure—is essential for the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of coastal tourism systems.
When you are all done listening to the pods, make sure to cast a vote for the People's Choice Award!