https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-focal-point--5338794
New episodes Thursdays 8PM EST

Instagram: @focalpoint.pod
Twitter: @chrisvallee001]]>enNewsCopyright Chris Valleehttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9027955fe86b9aa978318dcb1d8c6fdf.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-focal-point--5338794Wed, 05 Apr 2023 15:09:18 +0000Chris ValleeChris Valleechristopher1.vallee@gmail.comThe Focal Point will spearhead in-depth conversations about the stories that are shaping our world. Each week host Chris Vallee and his weekly guest will shine a spotlight on really important conversations. Its first pilot season consists of eight...
New episodes Thursdays 8PM EST

Instagram: @focalpoint.pod
Twitter: @chrisvallee001]]>cleanepisodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/celebrating-black-creatives--49294867
Today, Jenn reflects on her career as a black creative, outlining the many hurdles that she has conquered and how it fueled her passion for change.

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Instagram: @focalpoint.pod, @chrisvallee001
Twitter: @chrisvallee001]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/49294867Thu, 07 Apr 2022 23:40:02 +0000Chris ValleeBlack creators have been challenged with unfairness. It took black filmmakers decades to find their footing in the industry and restructure how stories are told both in front and behind the camera. Jennifer Holness is committed to amplifying...
Today, Jenn reflects on her career as a black creative, outlining the many hurdles that she has conquered and how it fueled her passion for change.

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Instagram: @focalpoint.pod, @chrisvallee001
Twitter: @chrisvallee001]]>1180bipoc,blackcreatives,blackcreator,blackfilm,blackfilmmaker,diversity,filmmaking,inclusion,representationclean1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/homelessness-in-canada--49072956
Peter Tilley is the Executive Director of the Ottawa Misson, a homesless shelter in Ottawa. On today's show, Peter discusses Canada's unfortunate rise in homelessness.

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Twitter: @chrisvallee001]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/49072956Thu, 17 Mar 2022 23:40:02 +0000Chris ValleeHomelessness is NOT a choice, anyone can become homeless at any time. In fact, a growing 235,000 Canadians experience homelessness each year. Canada must find long-term solutions. How could all three levels of government reduce our homelessness rates?...
Peter Tilley is the Executive Director of the Ottawa Misson, a homesless shelter in Ottawa. On today's show, Peter discusses Canada's unfortunate rise in homelessness.

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Instagram: @chrisvallee001, @focalpoint.pod
Twitter: @chrisvallee001]]>1512canadahomeslessness,canadianhousing,endhomelessness,home,homeless,homelessness,housing,housingcrisisclean1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/fighting-for-trans-rights--49006260
The word “transgender” is term for people whose gender identity is different from the sex assigned to us at birth.

Today we speak to Sam about their transition journey, the challenges they've faced along the way and their inspiring work in advocacy.

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Twitter: @chrisvallee001]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/49006260Fri, 11 Mar 2022 00:30:02 +0000Chris ValleeTransgender people come from all walks of life. it's an incredibly diverse community representing all ages, racial and ethnic backgrounds. The word “transgender” is term for people whose gender identity is different from the sex assigned to us at...
The word “transgender” is term for people whose gender identity is different from the sex assigned to us at birth.

Today we speak to Sam about their transition journey, the challenges they've faced along the way and their inspiring work in advocacy.

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Instagram: @focalpoint.pod @chrisvallee001
Twitter: @chrisvallee001]]>1481gaypride,lgbtq,lgbtq+,lgbtq+pride,mentalhealth,pride,trans,transgender,transgenderawareness,transgenderpeople,transgenderrights,transpride,transrightsclean1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/fat-phobia--48924309
Doctor Sarah Nutter is a member of Obesity Canada’s Every Body Matters collaborative who in the past, has struggled with her body image. Sarah discusses widespread weight stigma and how it leads to inequality for individuals with large bodies.

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Twitter: @chrisvallee001]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48924309Fri, 04 Mar 2022 00:45:02 +0000Chris ValleeFat Phobia: the fear and discrimination towards people with fat bodies. People associate those who have large silhouettes with a certain health status. People see higher-weight people as refusing to take care of themselves. We live in a world that is...
Doctor Sarah Nutter is a member of Obesity Canada’s Every Body Matters collaborative who in the past, has struggled with her body image. Sarah discusses widespread weight stigma and how it leads to inequality for individuals with large bodies.

Follow us on Social Media:
Instagram: @focalpoint.pod, @chrisvallee001
Twitter: @chrisvallee001]]>1207eatingdisorders,fatphobia,fatshamming,largebodies,mentalhealth,mentalhealthmatters,mentalhealthstigma,mentalwellness,obesity,weightstigmaclean1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/inclusive-content-creation--48847361
Mary Mammoliti is part of the blind and partially sighted community, she takes us on her path to self acceptance and shares both her positive and negative experiences as a content creator with a disability.

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Instagram: @focalpoint.pod, @chrisvallee001
Twitter: @chrisvallee001]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48847361Fri, 25 Feb 2022 00:30:02 +0000Chris ValleeSocial media acts as a powerful teaching tool, a place where all are welcome, a mighty platform that is used to promote inclusivity. While we have seen a great amount of progress, people with disabilities continue to be mocked. This isn't OK. Mary...
Mary Mammoliti is part of the blind and partially sighted community, she takes us on her path to self acceptance and shares both her positive and negative experiences as a content creator with a disability.

Follow us on social media!
Instagram: @focalpoint.pod, @chrisvallee001
Twitter: @chrisvallee001]]>1231blind,blindpartiallysighted,contentcreation,contentcreator,disability,disabled,facebook,inclusivity,instagram,partiallysighted,tiktokclean1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/canada-s-housing-crisis--48730450
On today's show, Jeff Morrison of the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association illustrates the housing crisis and how it has impacted Canadians from coast to coast.

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Twitter: @chrisvallee001]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48730450Fri, 18 Feb 2022 00:45:02 +0000Chris ValleeThe cost of housing in Canada has skyrocketed and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. This is largely impacting our country's most vulnerable: the youngest and the poorest. Why are we seeing a dramatic rise? How do we answer the issue...
On today's show, Jeff Morrison of the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association illustrates the housing crisis and how it has impacted Canadians from coast to coast.

Follow us on social media:
Instagram: @focalpoint.pod @chrisvallee001
Twitter: @chrisvallee001]]>1281canadahousing,canadahousingcrisis,canadanews,canadianhousing,housing,housingcrisis,housingmarket,news,rentalmarket,unafforablehousingclean1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/forcing-the-hand-of-justice--48589466
Follow us on social media!
Instagram: @focalpoint.pod @chrisvallee001
Twitter: @chrisvallee001]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48589466Fri, 11 Feb 2022 00:45:02 +0000Chris ValleeOn October 18, 2011 Joel Lefevre's life changed forever when his older brother and best friend Mathieu was hit and killed by the driver of a 28 ton crane truck. It took Joel and his family six years to discover the truth about his brothers death. On...
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Hillary McKibbin is a 7-year-old with tons of wisdom, imagination and courage. Hillary is fighting Aplastic Anemia, a condition that occurs when your body stops producing enough new blood cells. Hillary alongside her mom Kelly detail their journey of growth and what led them to becoming such powerful advocates.

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Twitter: @chrisvallee001]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48573993Fri, 04 Feb 2022 01:55:02 +0000Chris ValleeThe time to diversify is NOW. Canada's stem cell registry severely lacks diversity in its donor pool. Hillary McKibbin is a 7-year-old with tons of wisdom, imagination and courage. Hillary is fighting Aplastic Anemia, a condition that occurs when...
Hillary McKibbin is a 7-year-old with tons of wisdom, imagination and courage. Hillary is fighting Aplastic Anemia, a condition that occurs when your body stops producing enough new blood cells. Hillary alongside her mom Kelly detail their journey of growth and what led them to becoming such powerful advocates.

Follow us on Social Media:
Instagram: @focalpoint.pod @chrisvallee001
Twitter: @chrisvallee001]]>1231aplasticanemia,diversity,donateblood,interview,interviewpodcast,newpodcast,podcasting,stemcelldonation,stemcellregistryclean1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-one-promo--48114608https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48114608Thu, 30 Dec 2021 21:17:40 +0000Chris ValleePreview the first season of The Focal Point!61canada,canadiannews,currentaffairs,currentnews,news,newscanada,talkshowclean1full