On this episode, Grant MacEwan Communications Professor Roberta Laurie talks about her research around Ethical Oil, a phrase popularized by polarizing lobbyist Ezra Levant in his eponymous book published in 2010. Then, a conversation with Charlene Bearhead, National Coordinator of Project of Heart, and Raymond Yakeleya, filmmaker and residential school survivor, about the historical context of Canadian residential schools.

A recent study published by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Edmonton was ranked the worst place to be a woman in Canada. The worst! To find out why, we called up the author of the study, Kate McInturff, the author of the study, to find out what makes our fair city such an atrocious place for the fairer sex?

Today’s episode features a personal interview with David Barsamian, the creator, producer and host of Alternative Radio. Barsamian is one of the America’s most beloved journalists and we speak to him about the modern American media landscape, what inspired his initial foray into radioland, and the most difficult interview of his life.

Also in this episode, a short feature about a recent study that named Edmonton the worst place to be a woman in Canada. We talk to researcher Kate McInturff, the author of the study, to find out what makes us such an atrocious place for the fairer sex. 

Established on June 1, 2008, the goals of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission include documenting and promoting the extent and impact of residential school experiences. Their final national event took place in Edmonton from March 27-30. This episode of the CJSR Edition contains excerpts from this event.

On March 27 – 30, the Truth and Reconciliation concluded its journey with its final national event here in Edmonton. However, the process of reconciling our history as Albertans is ongoing.

On this week’s episode of the CJSR Edition, three radio stories about people attempting to wrap their heads around the complex problem of homelessness, and then doing their part, in both large and small ways, to help find a solution to Canada’s homelessness problem.

For 5 nights, March 9 – 13, 7 business students spent their nights outside, forgoing shelter, and omitting luxuries from their lives like cell phones, while still attending class, to raise awareness about youth homelessness and to raise money for YESS – Youth Empowerment and Support Services, a city organization that provides shelter for youth on the streets.

Their highly successful campaign raised over $55,000 for YESS, and got us thinking about what makes some fundraising campaigns successful, and why people are compelled to give. Join us as we delve into the science behind giving!

A few weeks ago CJSR producer Karen Fraser spent a weekend in Edmonton’s inner city, at the drop-in centres, and on the streets to experience what life is like living on the streets. This is the audio diary of her experience.

Space has become part of our everyday conversation and the barriers to entry for studying and exploring space are quickly dissolving. In fact, a group of students at the University of Alberta – or AlbertaSat – are on a mission to design, manufacture and launch a small satellite made of items found off the shelves of your local hardware store.

On this week’s episode of the CJSR Edition, John DeMont spoke about how his study of dying jobs lead him to a better understanding of our collective history and national identity. But what about the people whose jobs are on the chopping block?

The milkman cometh, and then dissapears completely. On this week’s episode of the CJSR Edition, author and journalist John DeMont distills some essence of what it means to be a Canadian today by describing the experience of people who continue to make their living in vanishing vocations.

Let’s take a trip to the AGA and leap into Jill Stanton’s psyche — or at least into her newest installation: Strange Dream.

In a world riddled with injustice, how can society’s most marginalized individuals reconcile the wrongs that they’ve faced all their lives?

Dan Scratch belives that the answer lies in education. A social studies teacher at Edmonton’s Inner City High School — a non-profit organization providing education for high risk youth — Scratch uses education as a tool to empower youth to understand and participate in the world around them. It’s only then that at-risk students can begin to heal their wounds and create a better world for themselves and their peers.

Last week, in anticipation of the 2014 NCRA Homelessness Awareness Radio Marathon, Linda Duncan, the NDP Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Strathcona sat down with CJSR’s News Director Matt Hirji to talk about the current state of homelessness in Canada and the future eradication of this national problem.

Take a look at the tag on the t-shirt that you’re wearing right now. Where was it made? If it says on the tag that it was produced in Bangladesh, you might begin to question if it was produced in the infamous Tazreen Fashion factory, the site of the 2012 Dhaka fire that lead to the death of 112 workers in a raging fire that engulfed the factory.

If you could indeed prove that your t-shirt was produced in that factory where there were no emergency fire exits and where seamstresses worked under horrific conditions, would the guilt weigh on you?

How would you feel if you were potentially responsible for designing that t-shirt. Actually had a tactile part in creating the system in which factory workers were forced to work under duress to produce that t-shirt. Would you feel the blood on your hands?

On this week’s episode of the CJSR Edition, Canadian fashion designer Sujeet Sennik speaks about how the 2013 Dhaka fire motivated him to start a conversation about ethical fashion.

Then, later in the program, the groundhog saw his shadow, signalling six more weeks of winter. We all know it’s been a long winter season across North America, but one University of Alberta earth and atmospheric scientist is encouraging us to think about the inherent beauty of winter in Edmonton.

But first, journalist and sustainability advocate, Alex Steffen explains that we only have 25 years left to change the world before it’s too late. It’s time to start thinking about the future of our planet.

In this episode, we talk to journalist Arno Kopecky about his voyage to British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest, and his resulting book, The Oil Man and the Sea. In it, he details the potential effect of Northern Gateway Pipeline, skillfully delineating the relationships between big oil and local governments.

Later, we talk to writer, illustrator and designer Chip Kidd about the importance of book design to the reading experience.

Writer and graphic designer Chip Kidd stopped by CJSR to talk about his work in the world of publishing. Even if you’ve never heard his name before, chances are you’ve seen one of his books. Dubbed by many as the closest thing to a rock star in the graphic design world, Kidd has designed more than 1500 book covers for authors like David Sedaris and Cormac McCarthy, and is best known for creating the iconic T-rex graphic for Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park.

By day, Kidd is the associate art director at Knopf, an imprint of Random House. By night, he is a talented writer of graphic novels. His first novel, The Cheese Monkeys, is a satire about his experiences as a graphic design student at Penn State. Kidd’s most recent novel is entitled Batman: Death by Design.

Christy Foley has always dreamed of becoming a space cowgirl. Now she’s one step closer to being a space pioneer. After being shortlisted by the Mars One program to take part in the first mission to set up a colony on Mars, Foley is already packing her space luggage for a one-way trip to the red planet. But what is she leaving behind?

All Ears: A Shared History of CJSR and CKUA is the story, told by more than 25 of Alberta’s finest radio makers, of how public radio across this province has come to hold a prominent and esteemed place as the true voice of Alberta’s diverse communities.

Producers from both CJSR and CKUA joined forces to explore the connection between the two stations, in celebration of CJSR’s 30th anniversary.

Come along on this second leg of the journey with us, as we discuss how community radio in Alberta has grown from one simple radio club at the University of Alberta to the dynamic community radio stations that we know and love today.

All Ears: A Shared History of CKUA and CJSR is the story, told by more than 25 of Alberta’s finest radio makers, of how public radio across this province has come to hold a prominent and esteemed place as the true voice of Alberta’s diverse communities.

Producers from both CJSR and CKUA joined forces to explore the connection between the two stations, in celebration of CJSR’s 30th anniversary.

Come along on this journey with us, as we discuss how community radio in Alberta has grown from one simple radio club at the University of Alberta to the dynamic community radio stations that we know and love today.

It took Joe Clark just 39 years to get into the Prime Minister’s Office. He was, and still is the youngest Prime Minister in Canadian history. It was June of 1979. Things were looking good for the honest to goodness politician from High River, Alberta.

But before Joe Clark could say Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump, his party was ejected from Parliament. A budget bill calling for short term pain for long term gain was voted down, and March 3rd, 273 days after he took office, an eviction notice arrived to 24 Sussex Drive.

On this week’s episode of The CJSR Edition, 33 years after he vacated the PM’s chair, The Right Honourable Joe Clark sits down in the CJSR studios for an extended interview.

But first, in preparation for his interview, our News Director Matt Hirji enlisted the help of two political scientists, Steve Patten and Joseph Ahorro to help understand Joe Clark’s political career.

Welcome aboard the CJSR Edition, featuring our exclusive, extended interview with Canadian astronaut Commander Chris Hadfield.  He discusses donning the technological marvel of the one-person space ship that is the space suit and the mind numbing sensation of space walking; about feeling more closely connected to the world up in space, mortality, and the startling visual beauty of planet earth.

Journalist Sandra Martin has figured out the way to keep people alive forever. As the Obit Queen of Canada and senior features writer at the Globe and Mail, Martin’s job is immortalize lives that were. On this episode of the CJSR Edition Martin talks about what she’s learned about death after more than 8 years on the deadbeat.

What happens when you die? This month’s Red Star Session got us thinking about the afterlife.

Curse you Tyler Butler, one of Edmonton’s finest singer-songwriters who came into CJSR’s Studio A earlier this month to perform a brand new song called ‘Bury Me in the Garden.’ How dare you come in and sing a song that pulled so hard at our heartstrings and made us think about our own mortality? And then you had the gall to talk to us about the birth of your new record label Cabin Songs that emerged out of a paradigm shift in your thoughts about the music industry? The audacity! Enjoy!

About 83 percent of our blood is comprised of water.

On this week’s episode of The CJSR Edition we present two interviews with experts blood and water respectively.

Acclaimed Canadian author Lawrence Hill talks about the liquid that singularly unites and divides us. Blood! His newest book, “Blood: The Stuff of Life” is the basis for this year’s CBC Massey Lectures.

Then later in the program, Water! Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians speaks about the complex realities of water sustainability today. Her newest book, released earlier in 2013, is called Blue Future: Protecting Water for People and the Planet Forever.

Tune in to hear the final word in the Edmonton mayoral campaign! The CJSR Edition sits down with Don Iveson, Karen Leibovici, and Kerry Diotte who candidly discuss their thoughts on what makes Edmonton a great city, and what makes each candidate the best person to lead Edmonton for the next term.

Plus, we examine three touchstones of elections in Edmonton: apathy, financing, and advocacy.

After 3271 days served as Mayor of Edmonton, and with only 20 days left until he officially vacates the mayor’s office  Stephen Mandel speaks in a surprisingly frank interview about his successes and failures as Edmonton’s mayor. Then, what did the Ottoman Empire sound like in the 15th century? That and much more, on this episode of the CJSR Edition.

On this week’s episode of the CJSR Edition, two stories about people coming together for the greater good!

Brian Mason and Danielle Smith, leaders of Alberta’s NDP and The Wildrose Party respectively, go head to head in a debate of political philosophies…with a little radio magic.

We also focus on the international student protest at the University of Alberta against the sudden and unexpected increase in international student tuition fees for the current academic year.

On this week’s episode of the CJSR Edition, stories about the blurring of realities, clarity in the face of deception, smoke and mirrors.

We’ll hear a presentation that magician Ian Pidgeon delivered this summer at Edmonton’s Nerd Night about the power that sleight of hand can have on our society.

Then, later we’ll hear from students at the University of Alberta talking about their first weeks on campus. They’ll talk about their hopes and expectations for the next four years of school. Expectations that might not align with reality — at least according to one jaded man who spent 15 years pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the labyrinth that is the U of A.

And to start it all off, an interview with Canadian fantasy writer Kelley Armstrong about the process of penning imaginary worlds.

Last weekend Edmonton Public Library Writer-In-Residence, Omar Mouallem took part in the Three-Day Novel Contest. The literary marathon — where participants are challenged to write a book in just 72 hours — was not only a test of Mouallem’s literary wits, but also his physical and mental endurance.

And the day after he wrote the book, we dragged the droopy eyed, exasperated Omar Mouallem into our studios to talk about what it’s like to accomplish something in three days that some people spend a lifetime just dreaming about.

Plus, we’ll speak to paleontologist Dr. Phil Currie about the University of Alberta’s brand new massive open online course (MOOC) that he’s teaching this fall.

Then later, schools back from summer, and the University of Alberta is a sometimes intriguing, sometimes confusing place. CJSR’s Bob Brophy gives it to you straight.

All that and more, on this, the first episode of the second season of The CJSR Edition.