This week, I had the opportunity to join a panel at the University of Toronto to talk about how media is not just about the stories we produce, but also the communities and conversations it helps to spark. The panel got me thinking a lot about the state of journalism today and as a long-time journalist, how I feel about it all.

If you’ve been reading this newsletter for a while, then you probably already know I believe in the amazing potential of The Conversation Canada to impact the way journalism is produced in Canada, and I believe we are working to create a new paradigm. This includes the language we use and the way we help shape, frame, contextualize and analyze the news.

But to be honest, I’ve also been grappling with a new feeling for me: pessimism. There is a lot going on out there in the world and it sometimes feels like we are dealing with impenetrable structures of power. I know I’m not alone.

Well, on this week’s Don’t Call Me Resilient bonus episode, I gave myself a little antidote for that pessimism. In the episode, you’ll hear me chatting with the show’s amazing producers. We talk about covering news and what “race” means to us. And since we’ve making this podcast for a while (we’ve produced 65 episodes over seven seasons), we decided to share some of our favourite episodes.

Going through our back catalogue to make selections, I found a timeless trove of stories that explore complex issues in accessible and exciting ways. Each one covers an urgent topic with insightful guests. Our guests are what makes us special — their voices bring wonderful, stimulating and brave conversations your way.

Many of our guests have been researching powerful structures for years, sometimes decades. And by looking at issues through an intersectional lens, they help to unpack some of the major issues of our time – like the uneven impacts of the climate crisis, the search for missing Indigenous children at former residential schools, the tragedy of immigration laws, Why defending Indigenous land is so urgent, Who gets long COVID and Why the Gaza-Israel conflict is so hard to talk about.

Every two weeks this summer (starting next week), we’ll be sharing some of our staff picks as full episodes. If you’re like me, and you need a little shot of hope, check out this week’s episode and then be sure to follow us to get your summer of Don’t Call Me Resilient flashbacks.

Also today:

• Calgary water shortages: Key ways to reduce your water footprint
• Another national park season is here. Let’s help the parks embrace our arrival
• New research sheds lights on the huge carbon store in Canada’s seabed
• 10 ways to support 2SLGBTQIA+ youth this Pride Month
• The key to raising secure children: Why parental sensitivity matters for fathers and mothers

All the best.