Episode 8: Exploring Genetic Counselling with Jessica Hartley

Episode 8: Exploring Genetic Counselling with Jessica Hartley

In Episode 8 of the MiSC Society Podcast, we’re joined by Jessica Hartley, the UofM Program Director of the MSc in Genetic Counselling and an actual genetic counsellor! In this episode, we explore a career that takes genetics beyond the lab and goes into real patient care. We cover what genetic counselling actually is and what the role looks like in real-world healthcare, and how genetic counsellors help patients understand complex information and navigate important decisions. We also talk about the MSc in Genetic Counselling program at the University of Manitoba, including what it involves, why it is so selective, and what students can do if they are interested in pursuing this path. Whether you’re interested in genetics, healthcare, or exploring different career paths in science, this episode offers valuable insight into a field that many students are curious about but don’t always fully understand.

Episode 7: Fire, Fear, and First Year Labs with Chris Rathgeber

In Episode 7 of the MiSC Society Podcast, we’re joined by Chris Rathgeber, someone every student who has taken Microbiology is familiar from first and second year labs. We dive into what its like having students in a lab for the first time with everything from Bunsen burners and bacterial cultures to the chaos, confusion, and learning curves that come with being a new science student. We also discuss common mistakes students make, how to adjust to university-level learning, and what professors actually notice in the classroom. Along the way, we share some of the funniest and scariest moments from Chris' lab experiences! Whether you’re in your first year or looking back on it, this episode is a reminder that everyone starts somewhere, and that you’re definitely not alone in the process.

Episode 6: Behind the Mic - A UMFM Pledge-O-Rama Special

In Episode 6 of the MiSC Society Podcast, we’re doing something a little different. We join UMFM 101.5 during their Pledge-O-Rama week, an annual fundraiser supporting campus and community radio, and get the chance to be interviewed by the station manager Jared! In this episode, we go behind the scenes and flip the roles as we share the story behind the MiSC Society Podcast. We talk about how it started, what inspired us, and what it’s been like building this platform as students. We also want to give a huge thank you to UMFM for making this opportunity possible and for supporting student voices and initiatives like ours.

Episode 5: The Reality of Research

On Episode 5 of the MiSC Society Podcast, we’re taking a closer look at what research is actually like as an undergraduate student. From Undergraduate Research Awards, co-op placements, and honours projects to reaching out to professors, we cover it all. We also share our own experiences working in labs, how we got started, what we expected going in, and what surprised us along the way. We talk about the highlights, the challenges, and the reality of research where things don’t always go as planned, and failure is often part of the process. Whether you’re already in a lab or just starting to explore your options, this episode gives an honest look at what undergraduate research really looks like.

Episode 4: Stress, Success, and the Rest

In Episode 4 of the MiSC Society Podcast, we’re joined by the president of Active Minds at the University of Manitoba, a student-led organization dedicated to promoting mental health awareness on campus. We get into the pressures students face, the normalization of burnout, and how comparison culture can quietly affect the way we see ourselves. We also talk about recognizing when you’re struggling, knowing when to take a step back, and small, realistic ways to take care of your mental health. This is an honest conversation, one that we hope makes students feel seen, understood, and a little less alone.