Sandy and Nora

Episode 101 – will politicians let COVID-19 kill the arts?

May 19, 2020 Sandy and Nora 00:47:31

In this episode, Sandy and Nora ask why artists have been forgotten in the pandemic response, and argue that we need to give them money to survive and practice their art, with no strings attached.

To use the discount code mentioned in the show to order Nora’s book, go here: https://fernwoodpublishing.ca/books

Cover image is from here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/how-street-artists-around-world-are-reacting-to-life-with-covid-19-180974712/

Episode 100 – Universal income? Basic.

May 12, 2020 Sandy and Nora 00:46:13

In this episode Sandy and Nora celebrate 100 by going back to a debate that has surfaced in the past few weeks: universal basic income. They argue that a UBI, in absence of a strong social support system, would be a mistake.

Episode 99 – The economy is code for white supremacy

May 5, 2020 Sandy and Nora 00:48:01

As politicians and some activists demand that the economy be opened, Sandy and Nora examine how opening the economy is upholding whiteness and reinforcing white supremacy.

Episode 98 – policing in the fog of covid-19

April 28, 2020 Sandy and Nora 00:43:43

In this episode, Sandy and Nora examine how police power seems to be growing unchecked while we all ride out the pandemic.

Episode 97 – Education in the time of coronavirus

April 21, 2020 Sandy and Nora 00:50:16

In this episode, Sandy and Nora argue that the pandemic has exposed how higher education’s obsession with money has damaged its capacity to work in the public interest. Education under coronavirus: what should it look like?

Episode 96 – Deaths in long-term care, death by police

April 14, 2020 Sandy and Nora 00:50:05

Sandy and Nora talk about the harrowing stats coming from long-term care, and how police have not stopped killing people, even though we’re all locked down.

Correction: in this episode, Nora confused Stratford, Ontario with Woodstock, Ontario. This has been something she has been doing since she was like 5. Elizabeth Wetlauffer’s murders did not take place in Stratford.

Episode 95 – Trudeau’s coronavirus schemes

April 7, 2020 Sandy and Nora 00:50:08

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about all the ways in which Justin Trudeau and the federal Liberals have avoided the easiest way to help all Canadians and instead, chosen programs that are more bureaucratic, cumbersome and that will leave so many people behind.

Note: since this was recorded on Sunday, April 5, the Liberals have announced that they intend to expand the CERB, with more details coming later on.

Episode 94 – resistance in the age of pandemic

March 31, 2020 Sandy and Nora 00:46:46

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about what resistance might look like with everyone locked down. How do we disrupt the status quo when we’re living through an incredible moment of disruption? We talk through the options that we still have.

Read the show transcript here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TTjedwtUWfgiy4O6YTV0fBh543l3RO7udPsK-MoQ38I/edit?usp=sharing

Episode 93 – fighting despair in quarantine

March 24, 2020 Sandy and Nora 00:46:14

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about our new normal, and what politicians must do to start helping Canadians weather the storm.

Episode 92 – COVID-19 and the crisis of neoliberalism

March 17, 2020 Sandy and Nora 00:49:18

In this episode, Sandy and Nora grapple with the calm before the storm and try to explain why different generations of people are reacting differently to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Episode 91 – the coronavirus

March 10, 2020 Sandy and Nora 00:44:45

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about how we can protect ourselves, and others from the coronavirus. This means demanding stronger healthcare, Pharmacare and focusing on communities who are most at risk.

Episode 90 – are partisan politics anti-democratic?

March 3, 2020 Sandy and Nora 00:43:48

In this episode, Sandy and Nora debate whether or not partisan politics are anti-democratic. Sandy says no, Nora says yes. Will they reach a conclusion?

Episode 89 – fight attacks on education

February 25, 2020 Sandy and Nora 00:48:39

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about the importance of fighting attacks against education. They also talk about how Justin Trudeau has failed in dealing with Wet’suwet’en and solidarity actions.

Episode 88 – hope and joy in our movements

February 18, 2020 Sandy and Nora 00:44:31

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about the importance of hope and joy. How do we find hope when it feels like nothing we do can change the status quo.

Episode 87 – Solidarity with Wet’suwet’en

February 4, 2020 Sandy and Nora 00:42:54

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about the important work of Land Defenders, both at Wet’suwet’en and across Canada. From Indigenous sovereignty to fighting against climate change and massive profits, we encourage everyone to get involved in this struggle.

Photo from https://unistoten.camp

Transcript available here (feel free to help us edit it!): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jL-PzjJ0TCfzQQgpQrDdQExFczNQww0cfQWWhLH1rwE/edit

Episode 86 – a. c. a. b.

January 28, 2020 Sandy and Nora 00:45:56

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about police and the various shenanigans they’re up to across Canada. We also talk briefly about the commemoration of the Islamophobic attack of January 29 2017 and Ryerson University’s attempt to shut down the Ryerson Students’ Union.

Shout-out to Unifor workers who have put their bodies on the picket line this week and who felt the force of Regina police, a group we forgot to mention in our round-up.

Episode 85 – The pull of the US Empire on Canada

January 21, 2020 Sandy and Nora 00:43:27

From climate change policy to Iran, 2020 has shown already that Canada is incapable of making its own decisions. In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about the need for social movements to re-imagine Canadian sovereignty and untie ourselves from the United States.

Episode 84 – 2019 has sucked. Let’s make media in 2020

November 26, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:42:55

Sandy and Nora sign off for 2019 with a look-back at the year and how, as media continues to crumble, average people need to find ways to make their own media and tell their own stories.

We are taking December off! We will be back with a new season starting in January 2020!

Episode 83 – hockey, whiteness and Canadian identity

November 19, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:46:22

Hockey is Canada and Canada is Hockey. This adage is seemingly lodged in the brains of a few too many people in Canada, making an adult discussion about misogyny and racism in sport an almost impossible discussion. Sandy and Nora break down how Don Cherry entered sainthood, Jessica Allen dodged being fired, and how the right-wing mob is clinging to a Canada that never has existed.

Episode 82 – Ok Boomer?

November 12, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:45:48

In this episode, Sandy and Nora break down the sentiment behind Ok Boomer and challenge people to think about how to make our campaigns and organizing work into multi-generational spaces that can bring people together and make our work stronger.

Episode 81 – Cancel culture is not a thing

November 5, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:45:30

Last week, the Toronto Public Library held an event that violated its own policy to not allow events that would have the effect of discriminating against someone based on gender identity or gender expression. In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about the politics of so-called free speech, actual free speech and why people who are afraid of cancel culture are actually just afraid to defend their arguments.

Update — Nora incorrectly stated that the Murphy event in Vancouver was cancelled. SFU cancelled the talk but the Pan Pacific hosted the event anyway: https://bc.ctvnews.ca/protesters-gather-at-gender-identity-speaker-s-talk-despite-location-switch-1.4667969

Episode 80 – does the left really eat itself?

October 29, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:49:59

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about how knowledge is disseminated and coopted, and how oftentimes we blame other leftists for forces that are highly coordinated and manipulated by the right. We also check in with how Justin Trudeau is doing!

Episode 79 – Election’s over. What does anything mean?

October 22, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:50:15

Sandy and Nora (but especially Nora) stayed up late to give you instant analysis of Canada’s new federal minority government. They talk about the winners (the Liberals, social movement activists) the losers (media and Maxime Bernier) and remind everyone that this result is good news for anyone looking to affect change.

Episode 78 – Live Show at the Tarragon Theatre in Toronto

October 15, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:46:26

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about the radical possibilities of community, the joy of being social active and why artists need to engage in politics. And, because there is still an election on, we also talk about Justin Trudeau’s right-ward shift in the campaign.

Show note: we talk about the lawsuit launched by the CBC against the Conservatives. After this was recorded, it came out that Rosemarie Barton may not have even known that she was being named in a lawsuit. If you’re interested in this curious tale, Jesse Brown has been writing about what is known: https://www.canadalandshow.com/cbc-lawsuit-against-conservatives-has-damaged-rosemary-barton-brand/

Episode 77 – debate night and the fall of Canada’s old order

October 8, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:56:33

Sandy and Nora stayed up very late to bring you a hot-off-the-press analysis of the only English-language federal election debate. You’ll hear why Jagmeet Singh won and why no one should consider voting Liberal if they’re progressive.

Episode 76 – climate change and gun violence in #elxn43

October 1, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:43:42

In this episode, Nora and Sandy look at how climate change and gun violence are being used (or ignored) by the parties to seek support.

Episode 75 – #BlackFaceTrudeau and Canadian white supremacy

September 24, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:51:52

It feels like so long ago: Justin Trudeau in Blackface hit the election cycle like an atomic bomb. What did journalists miss? How bad was the coverage? And what does this affair tell us about who Canada really is?

Episode 74 – a truly boring election

September 17, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:42:29

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about Andrew Scheer’s racist/homophobic candidate problem, each of the party’s strategies to win and why Brampton is such an important place.

LIVE SHOW ALERT!!

Here’s everything you need to know about our upcoming live show in Toronto on Oct. 12. See you there! https://www.facebook.com/events/1957725264331031/

Episode 73 – Letting the mask slip

September 10, 2019 Sandy and Nora 0:41:26

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about the Vancouver Sun’s decision to publish (and then unpublish) an opinion piece advocating full-score white nationalism, and the problems that politicians face when they call themselves progressive but support increasing police budgets (and are then called out).

Episode 72 – try not to despair with an election in the air

September 3, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:42:25

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about how progressives should orient themselves towards the federal election. Hint: drop the partisanship, get involved in a local campaign if the candidate is worth your time and don’t imagine that voting is the sum total of democratic involvement.

** RE: Nora’s comment about the per vote subsidy clarification: Harper axed it. Trudeau never brought it back.

Episode 71 – fascists vs. antifascists

July 30, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:42:10

Sandy and Nora track the rise in talking about antifascists as being terrorists. From Maxime Bernier’s PP party to Donald Trump, we ask: where is the mainstream left defending antifascist resistance?

Episode 70 – we need more time off

July 23, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:44:39

To celebrate the summer, Sandy and Nora talk about time off: vacations, sick days, taking days off just because you have a right to not work from time to time — get your hammock and the coldest drink you have, and think about all the things you would do with more time off work.

Episode 69 – It’s time to talk about the Greens

July 16, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:41:22

The Green Party, what is it good for? Sandy and Nora ask this question in earnest and conclude that it might be time for Canada’s partisan left to get serious about fighting for what they say they believe in.

Episode 68 – will social media be the end of democracy?

July 9, 2019 Sandy and Nora 46:30

July is the perfect month to take some time and reflect on how deeply we all truly are screwed, thanks to the overwhelming power that social media plays in our lives. If governments don’t figure out how to regulate this power, we can say goodbye to democracy.

Episode 67 – Canada’s genocide denial complex

July 3, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:52:30

Indigenous Peoples’ Month in Canada comes to an abrupt end with Canada Day on July 1 – who are the agents working hard to erase Canada’s genocidal history and present? And how can we combat the talking points that obscure, hide or make it dangerous to talk about genocide and colonialism?

Please, please read the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing Indigenous Women and Girls https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/

Episode 66 – arresting the left, protecting the right: the problem with police

June 25, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:41:11

There has been a recent burst of street violence perpetuated by the same individuals, looking to fight with social activists. The response from the police – indifference and violence against the targets of this violent – reminds us that we need to understand the role that police play in society, and they they aren’t there to protect us.

To read the report back from what happened in Hamilton, please go here (image is from here too) https://itsgoingdown.org/hamilton-pride-2019-reportback/

Episode 65 – why does the left ignore pop culture’s lessons?

June 18, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:46:02

The Toronto Raptors became Canada’s team, and the fervor and culture around the team tells us a lot about ourselves. Sandy and Nora talk about pop culture – sport, music, TV and image – and how the left ignores the lessons we can learn from pop culture at its peril.

Episode 64 – we gotta fight for our rights to abooooortion

May 28, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:44:40

(This episode’s title was not approved by Sandy)

This episode is a difficult one. Nora and Sandy talk about the struggle for access to abortion, how the struggle differs in Canada and the United States, and why so many people are fighting so hard to make abortion illegal.

We reference this radio feature from CBC’s The Sunday Edition: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thesundayedition/the-sunday-edition-june-3-2018-1.4685998/50-years-ago-the-women-of-canada-s-abortion-caravan-stormed-parliament-for-reproductive-rights-1.4687293

Episode 63 – the fall of the liberal order and … financial literacy again?!

May 21, 2019 Sandy and Nora 01:01:28

This episode is from the Q&A in Ottawa. The topics covered include: the fall of the post-war, liberal order, student organizing against Doug Ford, financial literacy and why white women dominate not-for-profits.

To hear the first part of this live event, please click here: https://sandyandnora.com/episode-62-its-time-for-radical-worker-action/

Episode 62 – It’s time for radical worker action

May 14, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:50:00

Episode 62 is a live show! Recorded live in Ottawa on May 8, Sandy and Nora talk about organizing across difference and the lessons that we can still learn from the Winnipeg General Strike.

Episode 63 will be the audience Q&A and will come out next week.

Thanks to the Mayworks festival for organizing this event and to everyone who came out!

Episode 61 – Are the Liberals bowing to white nationalists?

May 7, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:43:12

The biggest story from the 2019 budget barely made the news — the Liberals are tightening border security and making it much more difficult for people to seek asylum, including making it illegal to claim asylum from the United States. Sandy and Nora examine these new anti-refugee policies (including Doug Ford’s cuts to legal aid) and ask progressives to do what they can to make noise to oppose these new policy measures.

Episode 60 – debating debates

April 30, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:42:23

When should we engage with an idea, and when is engaging with an idea admitting that the idea isn’t racist trash? There’s no consensus on where the lines are, and so Sandy and Nora explore this debate, test the boundaries and discuss why debate for debate’s sake is boring.

Episode 59 – Can we learn from what just happened in Alberta?

April 23, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:48:32

Sandy and Nora talk Alberta — finally! There are many lessons to be learned from how the Alberta NDP governed, how Jason Kenney governs himself, and what they’ve said is in store for Alberta under a UCP government. We dive into the details and project what this all means for the upcoming Canadian election.

In the show we mention this fundraiser: Climate Justice Edmonton’s “War Room” fundraiser: https://www.gofundme.com/war-room-to-beat-kenneys-war-room

And we mention this podcast: Welcome to Hellberta! from the Alberta Advantage podcast: https://albertaadvantagepod.com/2019/04/19/predictably-welcome-to-hellberta/

Episode 58 – the end of public higher education in Ontario

April 17, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:45:48

Last week, Doug Ford released his new budget. In it, his government committed to changing how universities and colleges are funded, by referring to “performance outcome” … two words that when placed beside one another, become so meaningless that it’s almost funny to read in a budget.

Sandy and Nora are sounding the alarm — this is literally the end of higher education as we know it, and they explain why.

Episode 57 – Fighting Québec’s religious symbol ban

April 9, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:44:40

In this episode, Nora explains what the CAQ’s religious symbol ban is, where it comes from and how organizing is going to stop it.

Since we recorded this, nothing has changed from the legislative side. A rally was held in Montreal this past weekend to oppose the religious symbols ban. More voices have come out to oppose the ban.

Episode 56 – the unbearable whiteness of Canadian media

April 2, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:42:19

Talking about systemic racism in Canadian media is a bottomless well of content. This week, Sandy and Nora discuss Pam Seattle’s apology, CityNews’ apology and why apologies aren’t going to fix the racism that is embedded in Canada’s media landscape.

This week’s photo is from a 2002 cover of Maclean’s Magazine. Same as it ever was.

Episode 55 — Liberals tokenize to make SNC affair go away

March 26, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:50:50

Despite their best efforts, the Liberals are still stuck in the SNC-Lavalin scandal. And they’ve trotted out some old timers to help push their narrative into the mainstream press. Sandy and Nora talk about the strategy of hiding behind women to burn other women, hiding behind racialized women to burn other racialized women, and why the Liberal Party they want you to know is very different than the Liberal Party they really are.

Episode 54 – global terrorism’s white face

March 19, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:48:59

This has been a difficult week, especially if you have been watching the rise of organized white supremacists for years. In this episode, Sandy and Nora dissect how the media and politicians have failed so badly at grasping this threat, and conclude with things that are giving them hope.

Episode 53 – fReE sPeEcH

March 12, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:40:58

Attacks on free speech abound! But where are the Free Speech CrusadersTM? Sandy and Nora talk about the ways in which speech is limited, and how the left needs to build support around individuals who have their free speech attacked.

Here is the GoFundMe that we reference in the episode: https://www.gofundme.com/legal-fees-for-free-speech

Episode 52 – the NDP at a crossroads

March 5, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:48:12

With the Liberals melting down and the Conservatives more brazen in their support for racist organizing, the NDP is at a critical juncture. There is a path toward victory — will the NDP take it?

Episode 51 – Corruption and racism, as Canadian as Maple Pie

February 26, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:45:43

From SNC-Lavalin to the Yellow Vest Movement, Canada’s Two Natural Governing Parties (TM) are in a deep dive into those things that are more Canadian than Tim’s and hockey: racism and corruption. Sandy and Nora walk you through it all.

Episode 50 – free the news

February 19, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:42:23

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk paywalls. On their always-free, listener-funded platform, they talk about what’s wrong with a society that makes access to news based on ability to pay, and why we need free news now more than ever.

Nora’s note — at one point, Nora says IP and not ISP. She knows.

Episode 49 – the political party of white male rage

February 13, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:41:31

This episode covers white male rage, from the unspeakable horror inflicted by killers like Bruce MacArthur and Alexandre Bissonnette, to the structural violence inflicted by mainstream politicians — and how Maxime Bernier sits in the middle of this continuum. Bernier’s political success hinges on his ability to capture the far right — Sandy and Nora explore what this means, and what we must resist.

Episode 48 – Let’s Talk Bell Let’s Talk

February 5, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:42:25

Bell Let’s Talk happened again this year. Sandy and Nora deconstruct the campaign and examine how it gives cover for Bell, for politicians and for police to say they support mental health service while actively maintaining the system that makes life harder for so many. The trial for the murder of Abdirahman Abdi is underway in Ottawa.

Episode 47 – Covington MAGA teens buy their redemption

January 30, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:45:15

Last week, journalists were played by an invented viral controversy. In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about the racist and women-hating Covington Catholic School teensand why we need journalists to be better at understanding what goes viral, and why. Here is the link that Sandy references in the episode: https://sandyandnora.com/episode-47-covington-maga-teens-buy-their-redemption/

Episode 46 – Doug vs. student democracy

January 22, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:53:09

In part 2 of 2 episodes on the Ford government’s higher education announcement, Nora and Sandy break down “voluntary student unionism” and how making democratically-decided mandatory student fees optional will send a decisive blow to everything from your campus press to the services of the student union. Check out part 1 here: https://sandyandnora.com/episode-45-doug-ford-reduces-tuition-fees-smashes-osap-screws-student/

Episode 45 – Doug Ford reduces tuition fees, smashes OSAP, screws student

January 22, 2019 Sandy and Nora 00:38:34

Just in time for Sandy and Nora’s first show of 2019, Doug Ford wages war on higher education. Sandy and Nora break down this announcement and offer arguments for how to push back against a Liberal frame that is just as much to blame. This is part one of two — tuition fees and grants. In part two, they breakdown voluntary student unionism and how to mount an effective fightback.

Episode 44 – we get angry

December 18, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:45:54

2018 was the kind of year that you can only salute by paying homage to anger. In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about anger and how it can be used to ignite and inspire social change.

Episode 43 – The Emperor’s Clothes

December 11, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:45:09

Clothes make the man, so the saying goes. That’s the underlying philosophy to who should wear what in our halls of power. In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about women who are bucking the political status quo, and why in Quebec, a t-shirt has been enough to start a political earthquake among the province’s gatekeepers.

Episode 42 – Far right rhetoric on the front page of the Toronto Star

December 4, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:42:36

In this episode, Nora and Sandy debunk the racist rhetoric that surround so-called “anchor babies” and eviscerate the Toronto Star for publishing a report full of technical issues, on its front page.

Episode 41 – You gotta fight for your right (to strike)

November 27, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:42:50

Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government legislated striking postal workers back to work this week. Despite the fact that 1. mail has continued to be delivered and 2. that the right to strike is protected by the Charter, everyone’s favourite fauxminist has put the boots to CUPW members’ necks and forced an end to their rotating strikes.

Sandy and Nora decode what all this means, and why our right to strike is a right that needs to be vigourously defended.

Photo courtesy of the Canadian Association of Labour Media

Episode 40 – Doug Ford dougs forward

November 20, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:46:05

It’s scary times in Ontario and Doug Ford has his foot on the gas. In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about his party’s attack on government watchdogs and Trans and gender non-conforming Ontarians, and ways in which we can fight back.

Episode 39 – Sandy and Nora live in Toronto Q&A part 2

November 15, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:38:30

In part 3 of 3 of Sandy and Nora’s Nov. 2 live show in Toronto, the audience exchange continues. It starts with a critical question: how can activists navigate spaces like a university, when the university claims to want to fight oppression while at the same time, reinforcing it? There is also a discussion about the necessity of using moments of success to fight for more and mobilize others, and how that even when a campaign seems like an impossible victory, the long-game tells us that nothing is impossible.

Listen to the first half of the Q&A here: https://sandyandnora.com/episode-38-toronto-live-show-qa/

Episode 38 – Toronto live show Q&A

November 13, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:44:56

Should progressives engage with the mainstream media? How do we make space for families in our movements? How do we gauge success? In Part 2 of 3 of our live event in Toronto, Sandy and Nora cover a wide range of topics that are mostly unrelated to the Munk Debates. You don’t need to listen to Episode 37 to enjoy this, but we recommend you do anyway! Stay tuned for Episode 39 – the second half of the Q&A.

Episode 37 – Sandy and Nora vs. The Munk “Debate”

November 7, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:48:33

Live from Toronto on Nov. 2, Sandy and Nora take on The Munk Debate. From Frum and Bannon to Bay Street’s continued colonial exploitation of locations across the globe for mining, they tie together extremely obvious links that everyone in the mainstream media somehow forgot the week prior to this debate.

Special thanks to the Black Liberation Collective at Ryerson, volunteers at CJRU and Noah for capturing this sound, staff at the Ryerson Student Centre and the folks who arrived early enough to help us set up and take down the chairs. It was greatly appreciated.

This is part one of two parts. The second part, the Q&A, is Episode 38.

Episode 36 – What is civil disobedience?

October 30, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:43:08

Many listeners have asked: what is civil disobedience? Sandy and Nora talk about what it is, what it isn’t, how to do it and how to be effective. Get in touch if you have your own favourite story of civil disobedience!

Episode 35 – How to fight hate in Toronto

October 23, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:47:04

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about the fallout from the Toronto election, and how progressives need to think about fighting the rising visibility of hatred in the GTA.

And: MARK YOUR CALENDARS

You’re invited to a live show in Toronto on Friday, Nov. 2. Please RSVP here so we can order enough food: https://www.facebook.com/events/1874457432673162/

Episode 34 – Kavanaugh (and wtf CBC?)

October 10, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:41:17

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about the feminist movement, and how distorted our lens on Kavanaugh is due the absence of an effective feminist presence in social movement organizing. They also touch on Quebec politics and CBC’s decision to not air a debate because John Tory wont agree to debate Jen Keesmaat one on one. Note from Nora: much to my embarrassment, I misstate Tori Stafford’s name in this episode, and I couldn’t edit it out. The overall intervention was important enough to leave with the error, which I regret.

Episode 33 – Changing of the guard in Quebec

September 30, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:42:51

On Oct. 1, Quebecers go to the polls. They’re likely to boot out the Liberals and replace them with — something. Probably the CAQ. But the surge in support for the left-wing Québec solidaire is important. Sandy and Nora talk about the election, the politics and why Canadians need to pay close attention to QS. This episode was recorded despite a record-number of technical issues. Thanks for understanding that the sound changes a little throughout. And that’s it’s Nora-heavy.

Episode 32 – Doug Ford attacks free speech on campus

September 25, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:40:18

At the end of August, the Ford government issued a directive to Ontario colleges and universities that threatened sanctions if institutions didn’t pass free speech policies that were favourable to his government. Sandy and Nora break down the policy and ask: how and who are resisting this attack on institutional autonomy?

Episode 31 – Constitutional crisising in Toronto

September 18, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:45:04

Sandy and Nora are back! They took some time off so that things could get really, really bad so that their debut episode for the 2018-19 season could be full of gasping, laughter and doom. In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about the electoral crisis that Doug Ford’s PC government has plunged Toronto into, Section 33 of the constitution and how the broad left should be fighting back.

Episode 30 – Doug Ford, sex ed resistance, gender and effective trolling

August 6, 2018 Sandy and Nora 01:01:45

Part 2 of Sandy and Nora’s live show, hosted by the YWCA in Hamilton. The Q&A covered many topics and Sandy and Nora share their thoughts about resisting Doug Ford, fighting the new/old sex education curriculum in Ontario, mental health, how to effectively mess with trolls, pop culture and how the current war to uphold the gender binary is the most important right-wing attack we need to engage in, right now. You don’t need to have heard Part 1 to thoroughly enjoy Part 2! Interested in hosting a live episode? Contact sandyandnora@protonmail.com

Episode 29 – Online violence and grace under fire

July 28, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:40:22

This is Sandy and Nora’s first live taping. Sponsored by the YWCA-Hamilton Feminist Popular Education, Sandy and Nora talk about what it’s like to be a woman with an opinion, online. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience. This is part one of two parts, and the second, the Q&A delves into many different issues that go beyond Part 1.

Listen to Part 1 to hear about how Sandy and Nora have navigated threats, attacks, stalkers and trolls over more than a decade of life online.

Episode 28 – The War of the Car

July 19, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:45:37

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about the recent wave of cyclist deaths in cities and rural areas across Canada and how cars are making everything very, very, very angry.

Update to something that Sandy mentions in the show: the foolish scramble crosswalk is not longer at Bay and Bloor Sts. in Toronto. Tant mieux!

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

We are recording a live show in Hamilton! Come join us on Thursday, July 26. You wont want to miss it!

Event information here: https://www.facebook.com/events/245123882945036/

Reserve your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/voice-words-action-feminist-popular-education-tickets-48065416956

Episode 27 – Dutty Doug Ford

July 9, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:41:42

Doug Ford’s campaign of shock and awe is well underway. Sandy and Nora talk about some of the changes, and how Ford’s “For the People” rhetoric leaves behind anyone who isn’t white and male and healthy and rich.

Since we recorded, Ford cancelled all Ministry work on Truth and Reconciliation curriculum and a $100 million fund to fix schools. Students, teachers : not “people” under Ford’s regime.

Episode 26 – HAPPY CANADA DAY TO …

July 2, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:38:54

It’s the Canada Day episode! Nora and Sandy talk about all the things that they’re thinking about for Canada Day. Are you thinking about the same things we’re thinking about? Tune in to find out. Also, please consider donating to:

https://www.gofundme.com/justice-for-olando-brown

We will add the GoFundMe for Jon Styres when we have the link.

This is a duplicate page trying to fix a bad link.

Episode 25 – job losses at Rogers Media and a master class in organizing

June 19, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:50:04

Sandy and Nora look at the right way and the wrong way to respond to the news that Rogers Media has laid off one-third of their digital media workers (first third of the episode). Then, they offer a master class in organizing: what do we mean when we say we must organize, and how can we collectively be as effective as possible?

Episode 24 – Resistance in Fordtario

June 14, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:43:58

Doug Ford is about to become Ontario’s Premier. How did we get here and how must we resist? Sandy and Nora have your answers.

Image: National Post

Episode 23 – is the left failing to train new activists?

June 5, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:48:03

Where do young activists learn their skills? In this episode Sandy and Nora talk about the student movement and how the left needs to renew itself through targeting training (education, campaigns, jobs) for young people.

Episode 22: it’s time to shittalk #ONELXN

May 29, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:46:53

With just over one week to go, the Ontario election is spinning out to be the most exciting one to watch in a generation — if by exciting we mean hilarious, which we do!

Sandy and Nora take time with each party and examine all the reasons for why they cannot be taken seriously, and give many kudos to the grassroots activists running for the ONDP. They are making this shitshow very worth it.

Episode 21: Canada’s racist border policies

May 16, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:41:42

Sandy and Nora talk about Canada’s borders: from refugee claimants from the United States to CBSA, where innocent people are housed in maximum security facilities, Canadians need to start asking questions about what their government is doing to families who are seeking Canada for a better life.

Episode 20: Profits, pipelines and progressive confusion

May 9, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:40:07

After many requests from friends, Sandy and Nora have finally decided to talk about pipelines.

Episode 19: To be not a man online.

May 1, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:46:12

Sandy and Nora dive into the Toronto attack and what we know of the world that Alek Minassian is thought to have been a part of. From MRAs to real-life violence, why don’t men believe women, and where are men in responding to other men?

Episode 18: Right-wing extremism on trial: is Canada paying attention?

April 24, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:41:13

The shooter of the Quebec City mosque, Alexandre Bissonnette’s sentencing hearing is underway. What have we learned about his extremist views? Now that Islamophobia and racism have been clearly identified as his motivation, is the rest of Canada paying attention and learning from what we now know?

Episode 17, part two: the eye of the alt-right online hurricane

April 18, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:38:49

Nora and Sandy conclude their discussion about what it looks like when the [extreme] right chooses a target and organizes its minions to swarm.

Make sure you listen to Part One first!

Episode 17, part one: the eye of the alt-right online hurricane

April 16, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:42:22

Nora and Sandy talk about the news that has bombarded them both this week: that it’s never the right time and it’s never the right place to talk about systemic injustice.

Episode 16: Ontario’s free tuition lie

April 9, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:39:08

Do Ontario students get free tuition? The short answer is no. In this episode, Nora and Sandy go through the long answer, which is also no, but much more passionate and funny than the short answer.

Episode 15: fighting gentrification

April 3, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:41:14

Gentrification is one of the most pressing problems that currently faces the left — and yet, the left often struggles to identify, explain and effectively fight the forced displacement of poor, racialized and minority communities. Sandy and Nora explore gentrification in Toronto’s Regent Park, Weston and Eglinton West neighbourhoods to identify and argue for how activists should engage and struggle for change.

Photo c/o OCAP: http://ocap.ca/tchboardinguphomes/

Episode 14: The Financial Literacy Hoax

March 27, 2018 Sandy and Nora 0:35:17

The Ontario Liberals have announced that Grade 10 students will have new financial literacy education. Sandy and Nora ask: why? What’s missing in the curriculum that makes this a necessary promise? Or, is this a vacant and crass political promise that’s primarily meant to garner votes?

Episode 13: Is the NDP supporting Jagmeet Singh enough?

March 20, 2018 Sandy and Nora 0:39:47

This week, Sandy and Nora talk about how journalists have let racism take over their coverage of Jagmeet Singh, and whether or not the NDP is really doing what it must to support Singh through these attacks.

Episode 12: Douggie F, the new leader of the Ontario PC Party

March 13, 2018 Sandy and Nora 0:41:26

The people of the “Progressive” Conservative Party of Ontario have spoken, and Doug Ford is their leader. What does this mean for progressives, if anything? How should they respond, if at all? In this podcast, Sandy and Nora discuss this and whether or not we should even care. Spoiler Alert: we should.

Episode 11: Post-mortem on the NDP convention

March 6, 2018 Sandy and Nora 00:36:29

The NDP policy convention happened mid-February in Ottawa. Nora and Sandy talk about what happened, what didn’t happen, and why Palestinian solidarity remains so hard for the party apparatus to embrace.

Episode 10: Liberal schemes redux: when the scheme intends to undermine organizing

February 28, 2018 Sandy and Nora 2347

What’s behind the Federation of Black Canadians? Sandy and Nora talk about everything they know about how the Liberals use, manipulate and influence organizations to help promote their own policies, and warn folks to be careful when an organization seems to be operating in lock-step with government.

Episode 9: Injustice and Tina Fontaine

February 26, 2018 Sandy and Nora 1271

In this podcast, Sandy and Nora talk about the Raymond Cormier trial, his acquittal, and the racist, colonial systems at play that consistently deny justice to Indigenous women and girls, like Tina Fontaine.

There can be no justice on stolen land.

Episode 8: From Me too Us: the limits of the Me Too movement

February 14, 2018 Sandy and Nora 2667

This episode explores the Me Too movement. From Patrick Brown, to the poisonous and pervasive sexism within politics, to broader movement issues and questions, we take a tour of the state of feminism today.

This issue deals with the matter with a mix of humour and anger: our best survival tools. Skip the first 15 minutes if you don’t want to hear about all the ways in which Patrick Brown’s press conference was a disaster.

Episode 7: No justice for Colten Boushie — Canada’s white supremacy problem

February 12, 2018 Sandy and Nora 1490

This episode starts off featuring Jade Tootootsis, Colten Boushie’s cousin, at a press conference following the acquittal of Gerald Stanley in Colten’s death. Jade reminds people to get organized and be mobilized to fight for justice.

Sandy and Nora talk about colonialism, injustice and how nothing will change if people don’t heed Jade’s call: that nothing is possible unless we organize ourselves.

Episode 6: police, racism and journalists who just don’t get it

July 19, 2017 Sandy and Nora 2319

On the long-awaited Episode 6, Sandy and Nora talk about financial literacy curriculum, Nazis in the Toronto Library and police in schools, and how on each story, journalists keep getting it wrong.

Episode 5: Scheming Liberals and their Schemey Schemes

April 30, 2017 Sandy and Nora 2131

Has there ever been a scheme with a progressive veneer and a regressive outcome that the Liberals haven’t loved?

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about the Ontario budget, Liberal Schemes and how progressives need to resist Liberal logic that is intended to confuse Canadians into supporting them. Specifically we talk: free tuition fees, the basic income, pharmacare and the racist implications of the marijuana policy discussions.

Episode 4: police, Pride and protecting their own

April 4, 2017 Sandy and Nora 2038

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about the Ottawa police and wristbands, remembering Abdirahman Abdi, Pride Toronto and the history of policing in general.

The police show — not likely to be our last police show.

Episode 3: The white supremacy episode

March 13, 2017 Sandy and Nora 2219

2017 might just be the year where mainstream Canada reckons with white supremacy — or maybe not. From Justin Trudeau being a white supremacist to marches promoting hatred happening across Canada, Sandy and Nora make the necessary connections of these flashpoint events to broader systems and structures of white supremacy. With M103, the anti-Islamophobia motion soon to be debated in the House of Commons, it’s critical to understand this debate in the context of white supremacy.

The White Supremacy episode: from “should I punch a Nazi?” to: “here are the range of ways to disrupt, bother and challenge Nazis in the streets”

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