by Jane Friedmann
It’s my pleasure to announce that the podcast I’ve been working on for the past two months, entitled SheTheyUs, is finally live. It was my first foray into podcast production and there was a huge learning curve, but more important than that, the subject of our podcast was a great opportunity for learning. Commissioned by the Pan-Canadian Voice for Women’s Housing, and hosted by long-time advocate, Professor of Public Policy and Global Affairs, and former Vancouver City Councillor, Andrea Reimer, the SheTheyUs podcast delves deep into Canada's Housing Crisis and the issues preventing access to safe affordable housing by women and gender-diverse people.
Over the course of eight episodes, we hear from a variety of women and gender-diverse people at the forefront of the fight to make room for the many people struggling in Canada's housing market. We’re privy to first-hand accounts from people combatting various forms of inequality and discrimination as they simply seek to put a roof over their heads. From policymakers working to solve systemic issues to women and gender-diverse people with lived experience on the front lines of Canada's housing crisis, our guests share their unique perspectives and experiences on what's currently happening and what needs to be done to create more equity in access to housing in Canada. I would like to applaud all our guests for their no-holds-barred approach to sharing their stories. Even though each person’s experience is unique, it always amazes me how universal certain themes and experiences are. My hope is that the stories and ideas presented through the masterful lens of host Andrea Reimer will lead listeners to believe in their capacity for change, at every level.
Listen to the SheTheyUs Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and Soundcloud.
Podcasts present an opportunity to share knowledge that spurs action in a way that other forms of media can't. Here are some of my takeaways on what makes them great:
Podcasts are easily accessible
Of course, if you want people to engage with what you're talking about they need to be able to access it. Podcasts are hosted on widely distributed online channels such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify which folks are either using or have access to already from their smartphones, car media, laptops or tablets. The audio format means podcasts are convenient to listen to in a variety of settings from your morning workout to your evening commute. They're readily available online 24/7 and this convenience is part of the appeal that keeps people coming back to listen.
Shareability motivates discussion
As easy as they are to access, another convenient thing about podcasts is how effectively they can generate discussions online. Part of why this is is because of how easy they are to share. A quick clip on social media or a link to a specific timestamp is sometimes all it takes to get conversations started. How many times have you seen a podcast clip circulating around your favourite platform, listened, and made a comment? Topics that resonate with people tend to spread so fast on the internet, and memorable parts of a podcast are often very likely to make it onto sites like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, where they get even more discussions going. Comments cascade into trending topics and they in turn inspire more podcast groups to discuss them or topics related to them. A good podcast can be self-perpetuating in a great way.
The more the content of a podcast echoes people’s sentiments, the more they will want to share it. The SheTheyUs podcast resonated with me because it addresses issues faced by women like me who orbit in the harsh realities of Canada’s housing market. Sometimes an issue resonates and expresses your own thoughts in a way you wouldn’t have found the words for. Sharing each other's voices and experiences fosters community and builds group resilience.
Episodes break down complex topics into simpler parts
Topics like access to affordable and safe housing are complex. The episodic format a podcast takes makes significant issues and ideas approachable and easy to examine. This is because there’s time and space to delve deep into specific strands of conversation while also providing a fuller picture of the subject at large. Effective episode titles make broad topics more convenient for listeners to navigate. If you're using a podcast for research, effective theme breakdowns make it convenient for you to return to a specific topic to pull quotes or simply relisten to a powerful point. Easy navigation generates more interaction as listeners are able to share snippets that they specifically relate to, taking what personally resonates with them and allowing for personal commentary.
The host is an expert thought leader
Of course, the key to a great podcast is a great host. A thought leader or influencer on a subject provides a unique take on the information being shared by guests and allows listeners to pick up on key points and messages under the umbrella of a wider context.
It’s a space for hosts to share their own unique experiences, interwoven with their expertise. A masterful host provides an invaluable perspective on the information being shared and they cut through the heart of the matter to the listeners' minds with remarkable clarity. Additionally, having an industry thought leader as your host gives your podcast credibility and oomph to stand as influential content to people that can spark meaningful change.
Podcasts feel intimate
Whereas an article published in the newspaper or a news report on your local TV might sound formal or rehearsed, a podcast creates an atmosphere for guests to speak far more freely. In this way, podcast conversations are more authentic as avenues to allow speakers to truly get to the heart of the topics of discussion. Having someone speaking directly to you is personal, and for many listeners, it generates the kind of emotional investment that sticks with them even after they've finished listening. Empathy is contagious and I walked away from each episode of SheTheyUs moved by our guests' frank discussion, uplifted, inspired and hopeful about the future of housing in our community.
Podcasts can change minds and spur action
In a podcast, a host and their guests are able to explain complex topics in a detailed, personable and easy-to-understand manner. For the listener, the information presented in such an easy-to-consume way can be powerful enough to get them to change their ideas and inspire them in their daily lives. SheTheyUS aims to foster connectivity and community among its listeners. More tangibly, we hope to provide a resource for those fighting to make room in housing for women and gender-diverse people through effective knowledge mobilization, skills building, policy decision-making and funding support.
Great minds tell us that to change the world we first need to change ourselves. It is a key potential of podcasts to build understanding, influence peoples’ thinking and affect positive change.
Podcasts are powerful in the right hands
Podcasts are an incredible tool for mobilizing and distributing important knowledge. By bringing together information from industry experts and first-hand insights from people with lived experience, listeners can delve deep into complex topics and walk away with the information needed to draw their own conclusions. An expert host provides leadership and credibility which builds influence for far-reaching results. High-quality audio production helps listeners engage with the conversation, cultivating a powerful and meaningful connection to the subject matter. Put all these ingredients together and your podcast can become a force for influential change and persuasive action.
The SheTheyUs podcast is a place for listeners to connect with the women and gender-diverse people on the front lines of Canada’s housing crisis. To build a sense of empathy and authenticity towards an issue that's often presented in cold hard facts. SheTheyUs aims to affect housing policy and funding decisions by fostering a sense of community, connection and action. New episodes launch every Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud, check it out at PCVWH | Podcast
SheTheyUS podcast, hosted by Andrea Reimer and brought to you by the Pan Canadian Voice for Women’s Housing.