Trent Voices

Jonathan Pinto ’06 Dishes on De-colonizing Curry, the Far-flung Airways of CBC in Northern Ontario and More

Jonathan Pinto ’06 (Canadian Studies, Lady Eaton College) is the host of Up North, CBC Radio One’s regional afternoon show for Northern Ontario, and is based in Sudbury. He was formerly a reporter/editor and an associate producer at CBC Windsor. Jonathan is a renowned foodie and the author of The Best of Windsor Cookbook. Earlier this year, he returned to Peterborough Campus for the first time in years to pass on some of his experiences on to a new generation of students.

In this TRENT Magazine/Trent Voices conversation, we talked about touring Northern Ontario over the airwaves, sharing Canada with Canadians, and the (sometimes) controversial topic of what constitutes a curry.

Anita Erskine ’99 Returns to Campus as Trent CEO in Residence

We caught up with award-winning communications professional, broadcast journalist, television producer and host Anita Erskine ’99 during her stint as Trent University’s CEO in Residence. We talked to her about returning to campus after almost 20 years, her experience working with Trent’s current cohort of students, and how Trent continues to inform her life and career.

The CEO-in-Residence program, coordinated through the School of Business and Life After Trent, gives students at both the Peterborough and Durham campuses unparalleled access and opportunities to learn from business leaders across the country and around the globe. The University’s previous CEO-in-Residence was Dr. Katie Taylor, chair of the board of the Royal Bank of Canada, and past president and CEO of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

John Horgan ’79: The Recently Retired Premier of BC talks about his Legacy

TRENT Magazine and the Trent Voices podcast caught up with John Horgan '79, the newly retired former Premier of British Columbia, for a wide-ranging conversation that included thoughts on his legacy, a lifetime of activism, the impact of Trent University on his career, and on what's coming next as his political career winds down.

Trent Voices is excited to share some highlights of this interview, which will be presented in full in the spring edition of TRENT. 

In this preview, Mr. Horgan talks about what he sees as his legacy as Premier.

Linda Schuyler: The Mother of All Degrassi

We recently caught up with Linda Schuyler, co-creator and executive producer of Degrassi, honorary alumna, and creative partner and wife to Trent Chancellor Stephen Stohn for a conversation about her new book The Mother of All Degrassi: A Memoir.

Tomson Highway at the Trent University Morton Lecture

Internationally renowned Indigenous playwright, novelist, musician, songwriter, and member of the Order of Canada – drew a large crowd to Showplace Performance Centre on Thursday, October 12 as he delivered this year’s W.L. Morton Lecture as part of the University’s 50th anniversary celebrations for the School for the Study of Canada.
 
‘An Evening with Tomson Highway,’ featured Highway taking on the role of raconteur as he told of his upbringing in northern Manitoba. His colourful and moving tale included early life with a nomadic caribou-hunting family, attending residential school, the hardships of his childhood and the power of music and art to heal as he went on to become an internationally acclaimed playwright, author, musician and multilingual speaker (Cree, French and English).

We talked with him before the show/

Tim Cook on ”Lifesavers and Bodysnatchers”

Writer, historian, and Trent alumnus Tim Cook '90 talks about his latest book Lifesavers and Bodysnatchers, the parallels between the Great War and pandemic of 1918 and COVID, and how is fight with cancer helped inform the book.

Tim Cook is Chief Historian and Director of Research at the Canadian War Museum. His bestselling books have won multiple awards, including three Ottawa Book prizes for Literary Non-Fiction and two C.P. Stacey Awards for the best book in Canadian military history. In 2008 he won the J.W. Dafoe Prize for At the Sharp End and again in 2018 for Vimy: The Battle and the Legend. Shock Troops won the 2009 Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction. Cook is a frequent commentator in the media, and a member of the Royal Society of Canada and the Order of Canada.

Stephen Stohn on Bringing ”Whatever it Takes” to Online Audio Media

In 2018, Trent Chancellor and producer of television’s iconic Degrassi franchise Stephen Stohn '66 released Whatever it Takes: Life Lessons from Degrassi and Elsewhere in the World of Music and Television. In the book, he tells stories from behind the scenes and of making it in the music and television world in this star-studded, rock ’n’ roll trip through a Canadian show business explosion. Stephen, who has been at the heart of the entertainment industry for over forty years, shares a lifetime of experience and unique insights into how dreams are turned into reality.

“Whatever It Takes” — both a mantra and Degrassi’s theme song — has been heard millions of times all over the world. It embodies a philosophy of struggle and self-belief leading to accomplishment, as well as the story of an exploring mind, an adventurous pursuit of experience, ringing failures, and the willingness to see things in a different way.

Recently, Stephen released Whatever it Takes as both an audiobook and a podcast with longtime creative partner, friend, and fellow Trent alumnus Christopher Ward '67. Trent Voices caught up with Stephen to talk about the evolution from print to online audio.

Anita Erskine: Broadcast Journalist, Television Producer/Host, and Communications Specialist

Trent University alumna Anita Erskine '99 is ranked one of the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Africa, one of the Top 100 Most Inspirational Women in Ghana, and one of the most inspirational Ghanaian public figures. She’s also a Trent University alumna. Wearing a host of hats, Ms. Erskine is a strategic communications specialist, broadcast journalist, television producer and host. This diversity has cemented her reputation as one of the most versatile communication professionals from West Africa.

In 2020, Ms. Erskine joined the Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative as both host and advisor. She’s also lent her voice and personality to numerous social impact projects due to her unwavering belief in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals’ mantra of not leaving anyone behind. Ms. Erskine was born in Jerusalem and grew up in Ghana. She joined TRENT Magazine for a long distance Zoom interview from Ghana.

This interview is part of our special extra online TRENT Magazine content. You can find a shortened version in the June 2021 edition.

Dr. Jane Heffernan: Expert in Disease Modelling and Mathematical Edipemiology/Immunology

In a special preview of the alumni flagship publication, TRENT Magazine is presenting a feature audio interview with expert in disease modelling and mathematical edipemiology and immunology, and Trent alumna, Dr. Jane Heffernan.

The conversation, which touches on such current hot-button issues as COVID variants and vaccination, proved so timely that the magazine worked with the Trent Voices podcast to release the interview in an online audio format.

As one of Canada’s leading mathematicians and a director with the Centre for Disease Modelling at York University, Dr. Heffernan’s highly regarded research focuses on the spread and persistence of infectious diseases. As with many of her research colleagues across Canada and around the globe, her focus over the past year has been dedicated almost exclusively to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Heffernan is an associate professor in the York University Faculty of Science/Department of Mathematics & Statistics and York Research Chair (Tier II), Multi-Scale Methods for Evidence-based Health Policy.

The June edition of TRENT Magazine will feature a bio and interview with Dr. Heffernan, as well as stories on the impact of the pandemic on the arts, and in-depth interview with Ghanian broadcaster, talk show host, actress and girls’ education advocate, Anita Erskine.

Jim Maxwell: Emmy Award Winning Matte Painter and Digital Artist

Jim Maxwell ‘92 is a digital matte painter/concept artist, currently working on the television show Vikings Valhala. His work on the Vikings series has earned him four Emmy nominations, including a win this year. He was also nominated for an Emmy for his work on The Borgias. Jim has won a total of six Canadian Screen Awards. His digital matte painting/concept artist filmography includes more than 30 feature movies and television shows.

Jim has a B.A. (Hon) in Cultural Studies and English Literature.

For the visual slides from the event, please see: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7qpcodj3g0yarbm/AADU6VFdLeCcbMCCY_q0_uoda?dl=0

This live Zoom event happened earlier this year and was presented by The Trent English Student Society, Trent Alumni Engagement and Services and  Life After Trent.

Trent Voices: Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe

As a sought-after public speaker and lecturer specializing in resiliency, Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe delves into navigating stress and change, leadership, and personal wellness. Described as transformational, engaging, and thought-provoking, her keynotes provide practical strategies grounded in global research and case studies that help foster resiliency within others and ourselves.

Her new book, Calm Within the Storm: A Pathway to Everyday Resiliency, she builds on this sustainable model for everyday resiliency, identifying the emotional, psychological, and physical obstacles that derail us and keep us from moving on in our lives.

Ontario Superior Court of Justice Kofi Barnes, Interviewed by Trent Chancellor Stephen Stohn

To help celebrate Black History Month, guest host Trent University Chancellor Stephen Stohn interviewed Ghanaian-born Ontario Superior Court of Justice judge, and Trent alumnus, Kofi Barnes. Justice Barnes has built a career out of his passion for helping those with both addiction and mental health issues. He’s the founder of the Metro West Youth Community Restoration Court, the Durham Mental Health and Drug Treatment Court and is co-founder of Canada’s first Drug Treatment Court. Honoured with both Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Silver and Jubilee Medals for his work, Justice Barnes is the editor of People, Places and Things: Inspirational Voices from Canada's Drug Treatment Courts. He is also a previous recipient of the Trent University Distinguished Alumni Award.

Chancellor Stephen Stohn is the host of the acclaimed Trent Talks video series. He's also the host of the yet-to-be-released Chance Encounters, a video series that will see Chancellor Stohn sitting down with notable Trent community members around the world in order to hear their unique stories. This is an audio sneak peek at Chance Encounters. We look forward to bringing you the video series in the near future.

Trent Voices CBC Radio Hosts Julia Caron and Jonathan Pinto

Julia Caron '03 and Jonathan Pinto '06 are drive time hosts on CBC Radio.

 We talk about life in the hosting chair and the delicate art of broadcasting during the pandemic.

Julia is the host of Quebec AM. She's an award-winning journalist who is constantly seeking out and sharing captivating stories across the furthest reaches of the province.

Early on in her career with CBC, Julia firmly established herself as a natural storyteller and tenacious sleuth. She is perhaps best known for her obsession with history, and what we can learn about the present from our past. That is reflected in everything from her extensive knowledge of early photography and film all the way down to her vintage wardrobe. A voracious reader and art lover, you're likely to cross paths with Julia in libraries, art galleries and museums across Quebec. She frequently participates in local literary events and festivals in both official languages, and proudly calls herself a franglophone (yes, it's a thing).


Jonathan Pinto is the host of CBC Thunder Bay and CBC Subury's afternoon radio show on CBC Radio One, Up North.

Born and raised in Peterborough, Ontario, Jonathan fell in love with CBC Radio at the age of 14 while listening to CBC Toronto’s Here and Now. He appreciated how the accents and stories reflected his own parents, who are from India.

Over the last ten years with CBC, Jonathan has maintained an unwavering commitment to truth, accuracy and accountability. He has designed extensive online candidate guides to keep voters informed during municipal elections, and even climbed aboard a fishing boat to report on Canada’s largest freshwater fishery.

He started his career as a producer at CBC Toronto, and most recently was a reporter and guest host at CBC Windsor and CBC London’s Afternoon Drive. 

When Jonathan isn’t caring for his infant daughter, you can find him browsing local markets, sampling beloved eateries or cooking at home. He’s a self-professed food lover and is open to all must-try suggestions!

 

Trent Voices: Trent President and Vice-Chancellor Leo Groarke

Trent Voices, the Trent Alumni Association podcast show, sat down with Trent University president and vice-chancellor Dr. Leo Groarke for a special conversation about the impact of COVID-19 on Trent, universities across Canada, and post-secondary education.

During the interview, Prof. Groarke talked about Trent's response to the pandemic -- from the provincial shutdown in March through to the reopening of campus for the 2020 academic year. He also discusses how COVID-19 has and will continue to affect Canadian universities and university education. It's a unique glimpse into what goes into leading a university through a global emergency, with all of the complications that a busy campus community represent, including budgets, housing, live lab experiments, international students, the need to continue the academic year in progress, and a launch of new, safe academic year.

The interview took place as part of Trent University's 2020 virtual Homecoming celebrations and originally aired during a special Trent Radio Alumni Homecoming Broadcast.

Trent Voices: School of Education Alumni During the COVID-19 Crisis

In the second episode of our #TrentUCares podcast miniseries, we talk to Trent School of Education graduates Rich McPherson and Mitch Champagne, as well as Dr. Cathy Bruce, Dean of the School of Education, about teaching during the pandemic, balancing working, parenting, and educating kids, as well as ideas on how parents can help make the educational process more rewarding.

Video with closed captioning available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xCgc0T5ueD8

Trent Voices: Nursing Alumni During the COVID-19 Crisis

In the first episode of our #TrentUCares podcast miniseries, we talk to Nursing graduates Natalie Beavis and Scott Wight about their experiences over the past two months. We're also joined by Dr. Kirsten Woodend, Dean of the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing, who has a special National Nurse's Week message for nurses around the world.

For a closed caption video of the recording, please visit: https://youtu.be/SCRYWrbaDR4

Trent Voices: War Historian and Bestselling Author Tim Cook

Trent alumnus Dr. Tim Cook '90 is a Great War historian at the Canadian War Museum, as well as an adjunct professor at Carleton University. He has authored numerous books on both the First and the Second World Wars, including No Place to Run: The Canadian Corps and Gas Warfare in the First World War, Shock Troops, Vimy: The Battle and the Legend, and his latest, The Secret History of Soldiers: How Canadians Survived the Great War. In 2008 he won the J.W. Dafoe Prize for At the Sharp End and again in 2018 for Vimy; Shock Troops won the 2009 Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction. In 2013, Cook received the Pierre Berton Award for popularizing Canadian history. In 2019, The Secret History of Soldiers won the Ottawa Book Award. Dr. Cook is a member of the Order of Canada.

Trent Voices talked to Dr. Cook on how our perspective of historic events change, the balancing act between storytelling/entertainment and historical narrative when writing, and how he chooses the front-line stories that make it into his work.

Trent Voices: Jason "Human Kebab" Parsons of Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker

Trent University Business alumnus Jason Parsons is best known as the DJ and Hype Man for the band Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker (USS), where he performs under the name Human Kebab. But while he and bandmate Ashley Buchholz have garnered millions of Spotify streams, tens of thousands of likes on Facebook and toured all around the world over the past decade, the key to Mr. Parsons success has been as much about entrepreneurial spirit, career creativity, and keen business sense as it has music.

We previously talked to Jason a couple of years ago, when he took on the role of Trent Alumni Day of Service Ambassador.

"Trent Voices caught up with The Human Kebab via Skype for a conversation that ranged from the serious to the silly: from the origins of his unique stage name to jamming with Maestro Fresh Wes to touring the world making music to the impact of his Trent experience. But what we kept returning to was the importance of community – in this case, both the USS and the Trent University ones."

You can find that interview here.

Trent Voices: Newly Elected MP for Peterborough-Kawartha Maryam Monsef '03

Women Leaders in Peterborough Politics, Part 3 of 3. Newly re-elected MP Maryam Monsef.

Peterborough has a long history of being represented by Trent University alumni politicians. Currently, alumnus Dave Smith is the MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha. Alumnus Jeff Leal held that seat for the previous four terms (and sat on Peterborough City Council before that). There are also several alumni represented on area councils. Never before, though, have women taken on so many major political roles here. Right now, alumna Diane Therrien is Mayor of Peterborough, alumna Emily Whetung MacInnes is Chief of Curve Lake First Nation, and alumna Maryam Monsef is about to start her second term as MP for Peterborough-Kawartha – she was formerly Canada’s Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality. All three of these women are in their 30s – relatively young for politics – and all three are breaking new ground.

TRENT Magazine was honoured to bring this trio together to talk about the state of local and Canadian politics today – in particular, about gender inclusivity and empowerment.

Trent Voices: Jacob Rodenburg, Executive Directer of Camp Kawartha

TRENT Magazine sat down with alumnus, environmental educator and director of Camp Kawartha and the Camp Kawartha Environment Centre for a conversation about education, leadership, and the relationship between kids and their natural environment.

Trent Voices: Emily Whetung MacInnes, Chief of Curve Lake First Nation

Women Leaders in Peterborough Politics, Part 2 of 3. Emily Whetung MacInnes.

Peterborough has a long history of being represented by Trent University alumni politicians. Currently, alumnus Dave Smith is the MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha. Alumnus Jeff Leal held that seat for the previous four terms (and sat on Peterborough City Council before that). There are also several alumni represented on area municipal councils. Never before, though, have women taken on so many major political roles here. Right now, alumna Diane Therrien is Mayor of Peterborough, alumna Emily Whetung MacInnes is Chief of Curve Lake First Nation, and alumna Maryam Monsef is MP for Peterborough-Kawartha, as well as Canada’s Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality. All three of these women are in their 30s – relatively young for politics – and all three are breaking new ground.

TRENT Magazine was honoured to bring this trio together to talk about the state of local and Canadian politics today – in particular, about gender inclusivity and empowerment.

This episode features Emily Whetung MacInnes. Look for the other episodes soon.

Trent Voices: Diane Therrien, Mayor of Peterborough

Women Leaders in Peterborough Politics, Part 1 of 3. Diane Therrien.

Peterborough has a long history of being represented by Trent University alumni politicians. Currently, alumnus Dave Smith is the MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha. Alumnus Jeff Leal held that seat for the previous four terms (and sat on Peterborough City Council before that). There are also several alumni represented on area municipal councils. Never before, though, have women taken on so many major political roles here. Right now, alumna Diane Therrien is Mayor of Peterborough, alumna Emily Whetung MacInnes is Chief of Curve Lake First Nation, and alumna Maryam Monsef is MP for Peterborough-Kawartha, as well as Canada’s Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality. All three of these women are in their 30s – relatively young for politics – and all three are breaking new ground.

TRENT Magazine was honoured to bring this trio together to talk about the state of local and Canadian politics today – in particular, about gender inclusivity and empowerment.

This episode features Diane Therrien. Look for the other episodes soon.

Trent Voices: Cannabis Production CEO David Grand '79 on Legalization, Cultural Change, and the Pot Economy

Alumnus David Grand is the founder and CEO of Muskoka Grown, a 65,000-square-foot, top quality cannabis production facility, as well as a former member of the Trent University Board of Governors. Using the latest technologies, he is trying to create the gold standard of cannabis companies. Mr. Grand took TRENT Magazine’s editor, Donald Fraser, on a guided tour of the facility and followed it up with a conversation that tackled the science, economics, and social aspects of marijuana. We interviewed him in December, via Skype, and featured excerpts of this conversation in the March TRENT Magazine.

Trent Voices: Anastasia Kaschenko '12 Harvests Water from the Atmosphere to Help Water Scarce Parts of Africa

Anastasia Kaschenko is the chief technical officer and co-founder of Majik Water, a start-up currently creating new sources of affordable, clean drinking water for communities in Kenya and South Africa. Making use of technology that harvests moisture from the air, the company is aiding individuals and communities, but they’re also partnering with some of the world’s largest business to lessen industrial water consumption in areas most affected by shortages. TRENT Magazine/The Trent Voices podcast caught up with Anastasia in Australia. We're featuring the interview as the cover story for the Winter 2019 edition. Please visit www.trentmagazine.ca for more.

Trent Voices: Jenna Pilgrim '12 Helps Make Cryptocurrencies Less Cryptic

Alumna Jenna Pilgrim '12 is passionate about changing the way the world does business. Carving a career in the emerging cryptocurrency economy, she's a pioneer in way that people will be doing business in our not-so-distant future. She joins us on Trent Voices to explain both cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. It's an insightful insider's look at an often misunderstood business infrastructure.

Jenna is currently the Director of Business Development at Bloq Inc., a multipurpose software company building the next generation of blockchain and token infrastructure.

She is also the Cofounder and COO of Streambed Media - a new era media company supported by a blockchain tech solution - aimed at reclaiming trust in media and video production.

Previously, Jenna was the Director of Business Development at the multi-million dollar Blockchain Research Institute, conducting the definitive investigation of blockchain strategies, opportunities, and implementation challenges and funded by companies and governments worldwide.