Connecting the Community

Transforming Lives Through Yoga

In this podcast, Marj Andre speaks with Limor Benezra, a passionate yoga instructor who has transformed her approach to teaching seniors.
Limor shares her journey into yoga, the benefits of movement for older adults, and how she has created a warm, engaging environment for her students.
Through innovative classes and a focus on positivity, she has fostered a sense of community and connection among her students, leading to remarkable transformations in their lives.
Limor emphasizes the importance of spreading love and kindness, and her commitment to continual learning and improvement in her teaching methods.
She can be contacted at limor_i@yahoo.com

Healing Paws: The Power of Therapy Dogs

In this podcast episode, Marj Andre interviews Ana Kippel, the program director for Sunshine Therapy Dogs in York Region.
Marj and Ana discuss the mission and growth of the organization, the assessment process for therapy dogs, how individuals and organizations can request visits, and the profound impact therapy dogs have on mental health and community connection.
Ana shares her experiences with her therapy dogs and emphasizes the importance of empathy and volunteerism in this rewarding field.
Ana can be reached at york@sunshinetherapydogs.ca
If you are interested in volunteering, the assessment date is July 12th, and you can register online.
Check out their website with lots of adorable photos!
Sunshine Therapy Dogs
 
 

Building Strong Communities: The Strong Towns Movement

In this conversation, Marj Andre speaks with Saeed Vahid about his involvement with Strong Towns Richmond Hill, a grassroots movement aimed at improving community living through better urban planning and civic engagement.
Saeed shares the origins of the Strong Towns movement, its goals, and the importance of community involvement in addressing local issues.
He emphasizes the need for inclusivity, safety in transportation, and collaboration with local government, while also highlighting the diversity of Richmond Hill as a strength.
The discussion encourages residents to take ownership of their community and work together for positive change.
 
Strong Towns Richmond Hill
Strong Towns

Eduardo Morales founded Skill Share Social Club to build community connections.

In this conversation, Marj Andre interviews Eduardo Morales, the organizer of Skill Share Social Club, which aims to foster community through skill-sharing and a gift economy.
Eduardo shares his personal journey from feeling isolated to building connections and emphasizes the importance of community in addressing societal issues.
The discussion covers the principles of the gift economy, the right to repair movement, critiques of capitalism, and the upcoming events of Skill Share Social Club, highlighting the need for grassroots community engagement and support.
Do you want to contact Eduardo - https://linktr.ee/skillsharesocialclub
Here's the link to the June 28th event Skill Share Social Club Tickets, Sat, 28 Jun 2025 at 1:00 PM | Eventbrite  
Curious about Life.School.House ?

The Heart of humanKIND Toronto - Empowering Women Through Community Support

In this podcast episode, Marj Andre speaks with four women from humanKIND Toronto, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting women and children living in shelters.
The conversation covers the organization's origins, its various campaigns and programs, and the importance of community support.
The guests share their personal motivations for being involved and discuss the impact of their initiatives, including fundraising events and on-site programming. They also reflect on the community's strengths and the need for continued support for vulnerable populations.
Check them out!
humanKIND
(20+) Facebook
humanKIND toronto (@humankind_toronto) • Instagram photos and videos
And here's their May 30th CREATE FOR A CAUSE 2025 — humanKIND

From Georgia to Richmond Hill: Graham's Journey, with lots of YouTube videos

In this engaging conversation, Marj Andre interviews Graham Giancola, a young media enthusiast from Richmond Hill.
Graham shares his unique background, including his adoption from Georgia, (the country) and his journey into the world of YouTube and media education.
He discusses his experiences in radio and television broadcasting, the evolution of content creation, and his upcoming music release that celebrates 2000s culture.
The conversation also touches on the importance of community and personal connections in his life.
 
Check out Graham's creations:
YouTube: 
Main channel: https://www.youtube.com/@grahamgiancola6477
"Vibin With G": https://www.youtube.com/@vibinwithg1182
Da Cuzzins!" https://www.youtube.com/@dacuzzins2952
 
Twitter/X: https://x.com/gcglego14?s=21
 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gman_rh_02?igsh=MWxwMzV5anBqZTYwcQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Exploring the 25-26 Season at RHCPA

In this podcast episode, Marj Andre interviews Michael Freethy, marketing manager with the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, discussing the upcoming 25-26 season.
 
They reflect on the previous season's successes and challenges, including ticket sales and audience engagement. Michael shares insights into the marketing strategies behind the promotional materials and the process of selecting shows for the season.
 
The conversation highlights various series, including the Canadian series, Icon series, Rock series, and Family series, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and the role of memberships.
 
They also touch on the TIFF film circuit and its impact on local cinema culture, concluding with Michael's appreciation for the community's support of the arts.
 
25.26 RHCPA Presents

Uniting for Compassion: The Upcoming Conference

In this podcast, Marj Andre interviews Lucy Gray about the upcoming Compassionate Action Conference, which aims to unite various sectors to promote compassion globally.
They discuss the conference's structure, keynote speakers, networking opportunities, and the importance of community engagement.
Lucy shares her background with the Charter for Compassion and emphasizes the need for collaboration across different fields to foster a compassionate world.
Check it out The Compassionate Action Conference

Turn It Up has a little bit of awakening.

In this podcast, Marj Andre interviews Michael Frankfort about the upcoming live music event at Archibald's Pub featuring his band, No Class, and another band called The Same.
They discuss the formation of No Class, the differences between the two bands, the significance of the event for the community, and the creative process behind their music.
Michael shares insights on audience reactions, his favorite songs, and the importance of music education, while also expressing his love for the Richmond Hill community.
 
For information about the event  Turn It Up – A Night of Live Rock at Archibald’s | OnRichmondHill

Sports broadcaster and author, Jim Lang, shares his wisdom.

Jim Lang expresses himself in many ways, particularly as an author and broadcaster.
Check out his books Jim Lang | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster
You can hear him on The Morning Show – 105.9 The Region
On May 15th, 2025 he will be at the Richmond Hill Central Library Toronto Legends Podcast presents: An Evening with Jim Lang | Events | Richmond Hill Public Library