Women Talking Democracy, a new video podcast series that explores women’s leadership and the future of democracy, was produced by OCAD University’s experiential learning program for video content creators, OCAD U LiVE.
“Projects like this provide invaluable opportunities for our students and alums to engage with issues that matter while gaining meaningful, hands-on experience, extending learning beyond the classroom,” explains OCAD U LiVE Executive Producer Leonardo Dell’Anno. “As a result, OCAD U students and alums are strengthening their creative practice, building professional networks and developing confidence in their work. This experiential learning program reflects OCAD U’s ongoing commitment to career development, collaboration and public impact.”
OCAD U LiVE features a content creator studio where students are paid to learn how to create their own shows, and a production house where experienced students create videos for real-world clients.
Women Talking Democracy, hosted by Dr. Charlotte Yates, explores women's leadership roles in building democracy and the diverse perspectives women bring to democratic leadership. The series asks questions that speak to the heart of democracy’s current challenges: What is being lost? What is at stake and what does it mean to place women at the centre of discussions about democracy?
Each episode features an interview with a woman leader in Canada from politics, law, media, academia and civil society. The first two episodes, featuring Senator Pamela Wallin and constitutional lawyer Ewa Krajewska, launched July 7.
Through in-depth conversations with women who lead or have led democratic
institutions, Women Talking Democracy unpacks the assumptions surrounding women
and democratic leadership. The video podcast aims to spark conversations about democracy and its future challenges.
As the host, Dr. Yates leverages her experience in academic leadership, public engagement and democratic debate to guides audiences through timely discussions that explore what needs to be done to repair societal trust in the face of democratic decline.
“The foundations of democracy are being threatened by the expansive embrace of
authoritarianism and the spread of misinformation. This threat to democracy is
profound, global and deeply personal,” says Dr. Yates. “This series places women’s voices at the centre of discussions about democracy. It asks women leaders from across the political spectrum why they think democracy is under threat, what they believe are the answers to its revitalization and if here is hope for a democratic future.”
The first season features interviews with:
- Pamela Wallin, Canadian senator, former journalist and diplomat
- Ewa Krajewska, civil litigator and partner at Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP
- Fae Johnstone, executive director and founder of Queer Momentum
- Aline Nizigama, CEO of YWCA Canada
- Dr. Marci Shore, professor of history at the University of Toronto, formerly at Yale University
- Janet Ecker, former Ontario finance minister
- Ana Serrano, president and vice-chancellor of OCAD U
- Raha Shirazi, Iranian Canadian director and film producer
- Jennifer Hollett, executive director of The Walrus
- Kathleen Wynne, former premier of Ontario
