Be On the Right Side of History

A COVID-19 Frontline Nurse's Experience with Stress with Esperanza Mairena and guest host Sam Correa

Kymrin and Scott, accompanied by guest host Sam Correa, are joined by an esteemed and insightful guest: Esperanza Mairena, RN, Clinical Instructor, Educator, BSN, and current Masters student in nursing with a focus in teaching. Esperanza shares her compelling career journey, delving into the passion that led her to nursing and addressing the challenges of the profession. She shares insights into managing stressors as a nurse, illuminating the path that eventually led her to transition into a teaching role. Additionally, she recounts her experiences on the front lines during COVID, and offers her perspective on how the Canadian government and healthcare system navigated the pandemic as well as vaccination.

Halloween Special: The Haunting of ATSC

After the Smoke Clears' first Halloween Special is a night of scares and chills with your hosts Kymrin and Scott. First, they delve into a game of who-dunnit with ChatGPT, where they attempt to solve a crime. Then, brace yourself for Kymrin's personal story on her harrowing findings while using the Randonautica app a few years ago. (Randonautica is an application that sends its users on 'randomized' adventures through generating GPS coordinates of locations in each user's close proximity)

Be On the Right Side of History

In this episode, hosts Kymrin and Scott announce changes in their hosting structure before stating their solidarity with Palestine, shedding light on the loss of innocent lives, destruction of infrastructure, and ongoing Indigenous land theft. As this complex and long-standing conflict continues to unfold, we acknowledge that there is more to explore. We want to approach it with the depth and respect it deserves, which is why we're committed to further research and incorporating Palestinian voices and knowledge into our future discussions, ensuring they are informed, empathetic, and well-prepared.

Deconstructing Indigenous Identity, Status, and Cultural Respect with Sydney Bear

Kymrin, Scott, and Sam welcome their friend Sydney Bear of Cree, Saulteaux, and Peguis heritage for a prefatory discussion on the Indian Act of 1876 and its amendments, the cultural genocide embedded in the status system, and the challenging consequences of being classified as a status or non-status Indian. Later, Kymrin and Sydney engage in a critical dialogue on the term 'Indian' as a colonial label, unraveling its historical implications. Sydney's personal experiences and insights guide the conversation on identity as they explore stereotypes, her not feeling 'Indigenous enough' based on skin colour, and the fine line between appropriation and appreciation. This discourse offers a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by Indigenous communities, and the ongoing struggle for belonging and cultural respect.

Canada's National Day of Truth and Reconciliation with Sydney Bear

Kymrin, Sam, and Scott are joined by their Cree, Saulteaux, and Peguis friend Sydney Bear for this episode, recorded on Canada's National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. With the guidance of Sydney, the group examines the potential for land acknowledgments to become performative gestures lacking genuine understanding. The conversation delves into the painful history of residential schools, revealing the deep-seated intergenerational trauma and emphasizing the pressing need for acknowledgment, accountability, and collective healing. Shifting their focus to the Canadian education system, they discuss its inadequacies in representing Indigenous history and advocate for a transformative shift towards narratives shaped by Indigenous voices. The episode concludes with a powerful call to action, urging Canadians to take responsibility for educating themselves on Indigenous history from the perspectives of Indigenous people, fostering a collective effort to dismantle historical inaccuracies and build a future rooted in respect and understanding.