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[OCAD U LiVE produces new series, Women Talking Democracy](/markdownify/node/4582) July 14, 2026 # OCAD U LiVE produces new series, Women Talking Democracy ![Podcast guests](/sites/default/files/styles/1_5_1_large/public/2026-07/Smaller.png.webp?itok=iLCRG4fc) Ewa Krajewska (left) and Dr. Charlotte Yates (right). rgb(255,255,255) [*Women Talking Democracy*](https://www.womentalkingdemocracy.com/), 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](https://www.ocadu.ca/student-services/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? ![Filming of the podcast](/sites/default/files/2026-07/IMG_3954.jpg) 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 ## Other Recent News [### 2026-27 Call for Funding Proposals for Student Groups that Support Creative Entrepreneurship on Campus The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) invites OCAD University student groups with a mandate to support entrepreneurship on campus to apply for funding for student-led initiatives that strengthen and expand the creative entrepreneurship ecosystem at OCAD U. This funding is intended to help student groups create opportunities for entrepreneurship skills development, community building, and revenue-generating activities for students and recent alumni, while reducing barriers to participation for equity-seeking individuals. November 6, 2026 ](/news/2026-27-call-funding-proposals-student-groups-support-creative-entrepreneurship-campus) [### 2027 Critical Distance Centre for Curators Projections Program Call for Artists OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and Critical Distance Centre for Curators (CDCC) have partnered to co-create CDCC Projections Program Career Launcher. Four (4) to five (5) selected emerging artists will receive $690 to exhibit work in a single channel, projection-based screening program that will be displayed at the CDCC in March 2027. October 30, 2026 ](/news/2027-critical-distance-centre-curators-projections-program-call-artists) [### Call for Vendors: BAM! Holiday Art Market 2026 OCAD University's RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is excited to partner again with Wychwood Barns to offer a curated group of OCAD U students and recent alumni the opportunity to share a vendor table at the BAM! Holiday Art Market. October 26, 2026 ](/news/call-vendors-bam-holiday-art-market-2026) Related Stories ## Related Stories [### 2026-27 Call for Funding Proposals for Student Groups that Support Creative Entrepreneurship on Campus The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) invites OCAD University student groups with a mandate to support entrepreneurship on campus to apply for funding for student-led initiatives that strengthen and expand the creative entrepreneurship ecosystem at OCAD U. This funding is intended to help student groups create opportunities for entrepreneurship skills development, community building, and revenue-generating activities for students and recent alumni, while reducing barriers to participation for equity-seeking individuals. November 6, 2026 ](/news/2026-27-call-funding-proposals-student-groups-support-creative-entrepreneurship-campus) [### 2027 Critical Distance Centre for Curators Projections Program Call for Artists OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and Critical Distance Centre for Curators (CDCC) have partnered to co-create CDCC Projections Program Career Launcher. Four (4) to five (5) selected emerging artists will receive $690 to exhibit work in a single channel, projection-based screening program that will be displayed at the CDCC in March 2027. October 30, 2026 ](/news/2027-critical-distance-centre-curators-projections-program-call-artists) [### Call for Vendors: BAM! Holiday Art Market 2026 OCAD University's RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is excited to partner again with Wychwood Barns to offer a curated group of OCAD U students and recent alumni the opportunity to share a vendor table at the BAM! Holiday Art Market. October 26, 2026 ](/news/call-vendors-bam-holiday-art-market-2026)