On this podcast, I chat with acclaimed Canadian poet John Barton about his new book Compulsory Figures. During the conversation, we touch on topics from family through the lens of the father and patriarchy, and move onto contemporary issues before ending with more Queer focused discussion.The book is a masterful collection of poems that evokes deep emotional involvement from the reader. It is available from Caitinpress.com or your local independent bookstore.Support Wood-stein.ca by becoming a Patron.https://www.patreon.com/ColinBurrowesor by donating through PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QBZG6EHTUYZ4YPhoto credit: Holly Pattison

On this podcast, I chat with Stevie Bees about the boost that David Tennant gave to their trans-positive T-shirt brand. You can see and order a shirt yourself at www.steviesafespaces.com.That boost in popularity has enabled Stevie to infuse more positive energy into the gender-diverse community we live in through activism, bursaries, and public speaking. We also speak about some of the more terrifying aspects of the rise of right-wing politicians and how to prepare if Canada follows the path America is currently on and things get worse here in Canada for members of the trans community. For more information about music by Voidulie, check out https://voidulie.bandcamp.com/musicSupport Wood-stein.ca by becoming a Patron.https://www.patreon.com/ColinBurrowesor by donating through PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QBZG6EHTUYZ4Y 

On this podcast, I chat with Jason Davis, the NDP candidate for Perth-Wellington in the 2025 Ontario Election. This has been a snap election, and it will all be over by the end of February 27.We chatted about healthcare, education, harm reduction, and transportation, and he lays out plans for a responsible Ontario government that would help lift the weight that our current government has downloaded to municipalities and back up to the government in Queen’s Park. He talks about his passion for coming up with effective, affordable housing options and his dedication to saving lives through maintaining, not cutting, harm reduction options across the province. Davis also spoke of NDP plans to help combat food insecurity that would encourage the use of locally harvested produce and options that would help make food costs more affordable.This is a snap election; it might be over before some people know it’s happening. For where and when to vote, visit https://www.elections.on.ca/. Election day is February 27! For more information about music by Joe Solo, check out https://joesolomusic.bandcamp.com/Support Wood-stein.ca by becoming a Patron.https://www.patreon.com/ColinBurrowesor by donating through Paypalhttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QBZG6EHTUYZ4Y 

On this podcast, I chat with James Montgomery, the New Blue candidate for Perth-Wellington in the 2025 Ontario Election. This has been a snap election, and it will all be over by the end of February 27.We chat about Healthcare, Education, harm reduction, transportation, and what he means when he says, “More bang for the buck.” The talk turned to the changes in our relationship with the United States and how they might affect our provincial politics. He also attempts to explain how Diversity, Equity and Inclusion automatically paint white, middle-aged, heterosexual, Christian males as oppressors when critical race theory spills into Canada from the United States. He incorrectly defines racism based on the New Blue Party doctrine and not the established meaning wherein one group of people have an inherent superiority or power over another based on race. This discussion goes nowhere.This is a snap election; it might be over before some people know it’s happening. For where and when to vote, visit https://www.elections.on.ca/. Election day is February 27! For more information about music by Bob Vylan, check out https://bobvylan.bandcamp.com/Support Wood-stein.ca by becoming a Patron.https://www.patreon.com/ColinBurrowesor by donating through Paypalhttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QBZG6EHTUYZ4Y

The Woodstein Media Podcast kicks off season two with interviews of some local candidates in the 2025 Ontario election.The first episode features a conversation with Ashley Fox, the Liberal Party candidate for Perth-Wellington. In this conversation, we discuss why a focus on health care is essential for the overall well-being of the province, transportation in rural communities, how the decline in the relation with the United States will affect Canadians at all levels of government, municipal, provincial and federal, how hard reduction should be approached in Ontario and the importance of not only listening to but hearing and acting on concerns raised by students, parents, and educators in the education system.  This is a snap election; it might be over before some people know it’s happening.  For where and when to vote or how to get a mail-in ballot, visit https://www.elections.on.ca/.  Election day is February 27!Ashley Fox - https://ashleyfox.ontarioliberal.ca/For more information about music by Chupakavlas check out https://chupakavlas.bandcamp.com/album/its-a-fucking-zooSupport Wood-stein.ca by becoming a Patron.https://www.patreon.com/ColinBurrowesor by donating through Paypalhttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QBZG6EHTUYZ4Y

Mish Waraksa, a Primary Care Nurse Practitioner with over four years of experience working in safer opioid supply programs in Toronto, discussed how contaminants in the illicit opioid supply chain complicate the job of healthcare workers and the life-threatening side effects that come with Benzodiazepines and other impurities getting mixed into the street supply.The conversation also focuses on the disinformation and subsequent spread of misinformation to the public about harm reduction practices, specifically safer supply, by both media and politicians, usually from the Conservative side of the aisle. It's important to understand these issues as a community, as understanding and support are crucial for the future of these life-saving harm-reduction resources.“I’ve looked back at the history of the discourse around methadone in Canada and North America, and it was really the exact that was said about methadone,” said Waraksa.  “That this isn’t really the place of medicine. People shouldn’t be prescribing drugs for people who are addicted to drugs. Concerns around diversion. Concerns that this attracts crime to good neighbourhoods. Sometimes, it’s word for word what is being said about safer supply, but back in the seventies. So, I try to keep in mind that this is a certain political moment. Things have obviously changed with methadone, where there would be few and far between people who say we shouldn’t offer methadone, and maybe one day, we’ll be in the same place with a safer supply or with a whole range of options for people who use drugs.”Health Canada's Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) supplied funding for the Safer Opioid Supply program at the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre. This was seed funding for programs only available for a maximum of five years. It was hoped that other levels of government or other organizations would step in to keep funding available for these programs across Canada.The time-limited funding has allowed a wide range of innovative and evidence-informed projects to be set up nationwide, including substance use prevention, harm reduction, and treatment initiatives. However, the programs are in their final year of federal funding, and the urgent need for continued support is clear. Many politicians and media outlets have created a toxic culture in terms of how harm reduction, especially safer supply, is perceived. This is threatening the future of these life-saving programs, and the time for action is now.Links related to this episodeParkdale Queen West Community Health Centre - https://pqwchc.org/SOS - https://pqwchc.org/programs-services/harm-reduction/safer-opioid-supply-sos-program/Forx -  https://forx.bandcamp.com/track/safe-supplySupport Wood-stein.ca by becoming a Patron.https://www.patreon.com/ColinBurrowesor by donating through Paypalhttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QBZG6EHTUYZ4Y 

Katie Langille is a Primary Care Nurse Practitioner in the SOS Program at the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre. This community-based health service organization in southwest Toronto offers a wide range of services, including primary health care, dental care, harm reduction, health promotion, counselling, and community development programming. The SOS program is a Safer Opioid Supply program established at Parkdale Queen West in 2020. Clients in the program receive prescriptions for pharmaceutical opioids to decrease their reliance on the toxic, unpredictable street supply of opioids. Staff also support clients by offering case management, appointment accompaniment, counselling, harm reduction education, recreational/drop-in programming, mobile care, and connections to other services at Parkdale Queen West and in the community.This podcast discussion covers how synthetic opioids such as Fentanyl have replaced heroin in the street supply and how the war on drugs has led to stronger, more contaminated illicit opioids being available. This not only complicates the job healthcare workers have when providing harm reduction services but also causes unintended damage to the health of drug users through contamination.The conversation also focuses on the misinformation being spread to the public about harm reduction practices by both media and politicians, usually from the Conservative side of the aisle, and the damage done to vulnerable communities through spreading false information.“I think the flip side of the story we’re hearing now in the media, which is drugs are bad, your diverted safe supply is getting sold on the schoolyard – which, P.S., has zero evidence for it,” said Langille. “This story is that people are morally bereft because they are using Fentanyl and, therefore, don’t necessarily deserve our care. These stories are being told in the media way too much, and I think what’s not happening is the true story of people who use substances. Not only the people that I work with who are maybe on the more severe end of substance use disorder, who are struggling a little bit more. But people who are super successful and still using, whether it’s recreationally or whether they also need to go to treatment centres and struggle. Like I said, it’s not an easy story to tell, and I don’t know where my role as a provider comes into it except that I know I need to be cautious, but I do think people don’t hear the other side of the story and I do think that’s a bit of a problem.”Links related to this episodeParkdale Queen West Community Health Centre - https://pqwchc.org/SOS - https://pqwchc.org/programs-services/harm-reduction/safer-opioid-supply-sos-program/Koi Canis - https://koicanis.bandcamp.com/track/harm-reductionCrackdown Episode 34 – The Iron Law - https://www.crackdownpod.com/episodes/34-the-iron-lawToronto’s Drug Checking Service - https://drugchecking.community/about/Support Wood-stein.ca by becoming a Patron.https://www.patreon.com/ColinBurrowesor by donating through Paypalhttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QBZG6EHTUYZ4Y 

This podcast features a discussion about the push to provide more effective harm reduction services, education, outreach and advocacy to enhance and save the lives of people most at risk from the toxic drug crisis in the Atlantic provinces of Canada.Katie Upham is the Harm Reduction Educator of the Substance User Network of the Atlantic Region (SUNAR) and a member of many other advocacy and drug user groups such as The Canadian Association of People Who Use Drugs and Moms Stop the Harm. She uses her experience with substance use to advocate for change in health care settings, and drug policies, and to support the rights of those with experience of substance use. She believes that people who use or have used substances must be justly included in all practices, programming and guidelines that concern them to reduce stigma and save lives.Emily Wadden also relies on knowledge acquired from her experience with substance use in her role as Program Manager, of the Safe Works Access Program (SWAP), part of the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador. She is also a member of SUNAR, which has had a positive effect on her outlook, in a society that disparages adult drug users.When it comes to making policies regarding substance use in Canada, the people who have experience using drugs, have knowledge that needs to be heard. As drug user unions from coast to coast say in the slogan, “Nothing about us without us,” they need a seat at the table, and they need to be heard when they speak. Support Wood-stein.ca by becoming a Patron.https://www.patreon.com/ColinBurrowesor by donating through Paypalhttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QBZG6EHTUYZ4YMoms Stop the Harm - https://www.momsstoptheharm.com/The Substance User Network of the Atlantic Region (SUNAR) - https://www.sunar.ca/Safe Works Access Program – St. John’s - https://acnl.net/services/swap/Aerhyn Lau - https://aerhyn.bandcamp.com/track/tune-up-thursdays-week-94-october-19th-ahead-by-a-century-the-tragically-hip-cover

The Woodstein Media Podcast bounces back to music chatter with Dick Lucas, the voice fronting SUBHUMANS, Culture Shock, and Citizen Fish.  For over 45 years he has been venting his thoughts on life and politics over the punk, ska, and reggae sounds of those bands and even in his 60s there does not seem to be any indication he’ll be hanging up his microphone. Balancing that microphone might be something you will find him doing, but not giving it up.SUBHUMANS continue to pound their message out on stages throughout Europe and North America. They will be playing on August 18th in front of about 40,000 fans attending Nofx's final Toronto concert at Downsview Park.Support Wood-stein.ca by becoming a Patron.https://www.patreon.com/ColinBurrowesor by donating through Paypalhttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QBZG6EHTUYZ4YDick Lucas Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dicklucasart/Subhumans – https://subhumans.bandcamp.com/Culture Shock - https://cultureshockuk.bandcamp.com/Citizen Fish - https://citizenfish.bandcamp.com/

As this podcast was being edited, Pierre Poilievre raved in Parliament about life-saving efforts to help drug users. He was reprimanded and ejected from the chamber, and eventually, the rest of the Conservative caucus walked out in protest. Speaker Greg Fergus cautioned Justin Trudeau and Poilievre during a feisty question period to avoid making direct accusations about the character of another MP.The debate devolved to derogatory remarks as Poilievre attacked the Liberals over BC's drug decriminalization. This attack has been ongoing since before the pilot program had a chance to prove itself, with Poilievre fighting against facts that have proven harsh penalties for drug use are ineffective.Trudeau avoided the drug issue, confronting Poilievre about videos showing the Conservative leader exiting a trailer adorned with a symbol for the far-right extremist group Diagolon."Any leader that needs the support of a far-right white nationalist group to fundraise and get closer to power does not deserve elected office," the Prime Minister said.Poilievre countered that this was the "latest distraction" from "extremist policies.""When will we put an end to this wacko policy by this wacko Prime Minister?" He asked.Fergus asked Poilievre to withdraw his comments, saying they were unparliamentary.Poilievre replaced wacko with "extremist” or "radical." Fergus kicked Poilievre out. Much of the Conservative caucus left. Eventually, they all exited.Poilievre continued trash-talking,  falsely claiming he was "censored" for calling Trudeau's drug policies "wacko." Exercising proper use of a cliché, Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet, who was pleased by the events, thanked Fergus in French for showing "common sense." Immigration Minister Marc Miller coolly dismissed Poilievre, "I think it would be good if he shut his yap once in a while.”On this podcast, Ruth Fox, Regional Director for Moms Stop the Harm, shares her experience of losing her son, Trevor, who died from accidental drug poisoning. Trevor had a promising life ahead of him in his community as a valued employee in a career he enjoyed. He had a supportive family and friends who adored him.Ruth became aware of Moms Stop the Harm after Trevor’s death and found the community of understanding, compassion and support invaluable. Through the work the group does, she learned more about the harms caused by failed drug policies and the way people who use drugs are treated.She speaks of the work Moms Stop the Harm does and how the toxic drug supply is taking lives across a wide demographic, including people who are living productive lives like Trevor.  A singular focus on treatment excludes many people who are at risk, such as occasional users. “Until we provide an alternative to the toxic street drugs, namely a legal, regulated supply of the drugs people need, the rate of harm and death will continue to rise, and, I believe, sharply,” said Fox.The music on this podcast is by Low Dead Space, featuring Garth Mullins, host of the Crackdown Podcast. It’s a podcast made by drug users, the people with the most lived experience and insight to help affect positive policy change. Good people use drugs. Intelligent people use drugs.Moms Stop the Harm - https://www.momsstoptheharm.com/The article referenced - https://www.stalbertgazette.com/local-news/despite-record-drug-poisoning-deaths-no-increase-in-rates-of-addiction-data-shows-8600677Low Dead Space - https://lowdeadspace.bandcamp.com/album/die-in-vancouver-2Crackdown Podcast - https://www.crackdownpod.com/

(All photos contributed by Leah den Bok and used by permission)In February, I explored the streets of Philadelphia, and the Mutter Museum was a must-see site.One of the exhibits, Unhoused: Personal Stories and Public Health, features photos by the guest on this podcast, Leah den Bok. She is a photographer from Ontario, whom I wrote about years ago when she spoke at a United Way event, Faces of Homelessness. I was intrigued by the opportunity to see her photography and a mural by another artist, Willie Baronet, raising awareness about people experiencing homelessness. Her Humanizing the Homeless series of photos and the accompanying stories do a lot to share the personal stories of people who live unhoused. The images have also been collected in a series of books entitled Nowhere to Call Home, which raise money for several charities that do frontline work on the streets of communities across Ontario to help people experiencing homelessness.She speaks about her experiences documenting the lives of people who are living unhoused, what she has learned through those experiences, and how, although a lack of affordable housing is the main factor leaving people homeless, more needs to be done than simply giving people homes to help solve the homelessness crisis.The music on this podcast is from a performance by the Dallas Street Choir for the American Choral Directors Association in Little Rock, Arkansas, on March 3, 2022. Wood-stein.ca by becoming a Patron.https://www.patreon.com/ColinBurrowesor by donating through Paypalhttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QBZG6EHTUYZ4YHumanizing the Homeless - https://www.humanizingthehomeless.org/Dallas Street Choir - https://dallasstreetchoir.org/Unhoused: Personal Stories and Public Health - https://muttermuseum.org/on-view/unhoused-personal-stories-and-public-healthSalvation Army Barrie Bayside Mission Centre - https://www.facebook.com/SalvationArmyBBMCHome Horizon: Transitional Support Program - https://www.homehorizon.ca/barbara-weider-houseStepping Stone (formerly Welcome In Drop In Centre) - https://steppingstonegw.com/Inn From the Cold - https://www.innfromthecold.ca/United Way event shines light on Faces of Homelessness in Huron-Perth - https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/united-way-event-shines-light-on-faces-of-homelessness-in-huron-perth/article_fe2be8a4-59e4-5005-8642-320892a27654.html The Homeless Experience in North Perth - https://ocnaorg.shoutcms.net/uploads/files/2021%20BNC/PC17_3rd_Listowel%20Banner_Full.pdf 

This episode features a conversation with Casey and Core, cofounders of Barrie, Ontario's independent music label Tarantula Tapes. They talk about releasing music they love and some of the problems they have overcome regarding quality control working at a DIY level. They recommend some of their favourite releases from the label's first three years and future releases they are hyped to bring to music lovers. Support Wood-stein.ca by becoming a Patron.https://www.patreon.com/ColinBurrowesor by donating through Paypalhttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QBZG6EHTUYZ4YLinks related to this episode.Tarantulatapes.caTape duplicationhttps://www.duplication.ca/http://www.gettapeshere.com/Bitch Fest 2024https://www.instagram.com/bitch.fest_toronto/The Speed Humps - https://thespeedhumps.bandcamp.com/Scott Murray - https://tarantulacassettes.bandcamp.com/album/night-bingeDag Nasty - https://dagnasty.bandcamp.com/album/can-i-sayMr. California and the State Police - https://itstrashrecords.bandcamp.com/album/killed-by-meth-4-lpSons of Ishmael - https://trostrecords.bandcamp.com/album/sacro-egoismo-89-92The Dean Malenkos - https://aggravated-us.bandcamp.com/album/arse-capadesMischief Brew - https://mischiefbrew.bandcamp.com/album/bacchanal-n-philadelphiaSockeye - https://wheelchairfullofoldmen1.bandcamp.com/track/i-wanna-punchHeavy Petter - https://heavypetter.bandcamp.com/album/split-with-lightmaresJerkoff Diary - https://jerkoffdiary.bandcamp.com/album/zero-coolNova Doll - https://novadoll.bandcamp.com/album/denaturing-2Gutser - https://gutser.bandcamp.com/album/spill-everythingBoring Girls - https://weareboringgirls.bandcamp.com/album/fuck-you-so-muchThe Black Void - https://weareboringgirls.bandcamp.com/album/fuck-you-so-muchDead Cosmetics - https://deadcosmetics.bandcamp.com/album/was-tust-du-2Gag Order - https://cursedblessingsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/in-my-headEarl Wyvern - https://tarantulacassettes.bandcamp.com/album/billionaire-dinosaurs-turned-me-gayHysterics - https://tarantulacassettes.bandcamp.com/track/the-motivator-2Angry Spells - https://tarantulacassettes.bandcamp.com/track/f-u-c-k-2

This episode features a conversation with Jillian Clair about the movement to legalize magic mushrooms and her research into the benefits of Psilocybin, that ingredient some mushrooms have which adds that psychedelic touch to them that many of us have grown to love. The mood-stabilizing gift from nature that governments want to deny access to.As users, and not scientists studying Psilocybin, much of the conversation is anecdotal. The subjects covered are first use, positive experiences with mushrooms, the few ways to access Psilocybin in Canada legally,  tips for the safe use of shrooms (this can be applied to many drugs), thoughts about fear-mongering tactics used to vilify the use of hallucinogens and other drugs, how to stay positive during the fight for decriminalization while harm reduction increasingly comes under attack, and how to write to your local MP with your concerns.  You can listen to Clair talk about MVLL CRIMES on episode four.  https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/colin40063/episodes/2022-12-30T23_51_59-08_00Support Wood-stein.ca by becoming a Patron.https://www.patreon.com/ColinBurrowesor by donating through Paypalhttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QBZG6EHTUYZ4YThe Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)  - https://camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/hallucinogensTerminal cancer patient has waited 440 days for federal permission to continue magic mushroom therapy - https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/magic-mushrooms-terminal-cancer-patient-1.6679585Find your Minister of Parliament and their contact information. Keep in mind, it’s free to write your MP.  - https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/Information that was not shared with the jury during the trial of a man found guilty of four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder in the truck attack on a Muslim family in London in 2021.  https://globalnews.ca/news/10095523/what-the-jury-didnt-hear-at-trial-of-man-accused-in-the-london-ont-attack/Currently, in Canada, there is no “grey zone” regarding Psilocybin. It is illegal, so take care. - https://www.psychedeliclaw.ca/psilocybin Music played on this episode.Assfeet - https://assfeet.bandcamp.com/album/catasstropheKitty Tsunami - https://kittytsunami.bandcamp.com/album/shroomsEmiliano Pando-Ponce - https://emiliano.bandcamp.com/track/shroomsStrangeJuice - https://strangejuice.bandcamp.com/album/brown-songsHighpe - https://highpe.bandcamp.com/track/shroomsEllis Michaels - https://ellismichaels.bandcamp.com/album/shrooms-dmtImbred - https://imbred.bandcamp.com/album/ashesMVLL CRIMES - https://mvllcrimes.bandcamp.com/

On this episode, Barrie Ontario musician Earl Wyvern discusses their history and involvement in the DIY Arts Collective, which progressed to a deep involvement in music, promoting shows through Gay Ass Productions and slamming eardrums on recording and stages for the past ten years. They are currently playing with Angry Spells and digging deeper into what they refer to as their “horrendous progressive politics” with Earl Wyvern and Spare Parts.Essentially, their horrendous politics, which they describe as “queer” and “militant,” are just a wish for people to be treated fairly and not single out specific segments of society with excuses not to be kind to them. Wyvern describes this as “what-aboutism” and that when people set out to do good for people, they don’t discriminate about who deserves help in times of need.The conversation touches on the anti-trans protests and the counter-protests of support for trans youth and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, with Wyvern encouraging people to “protect trans people with your fucking lives. Please tell them that you love them every day because you never know what people are going through in their own lives, so don’t wait till something bad happens. Just tell people you love them.”Support Trans Wellness Ontario a mental wellness organization that provides low-barrier support to individuals and families. They aim to enhance and sustain the health and wellness of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and their families. https://www.transwellness.ca/Support Wood-stein.ca by becoming a Patron.https://www.patreon.com/ColinBurrowesor by donating through Paypalhttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QBZG6EHTUYZ4YLinks related to this episode.Earl Wyvern and Spare Parts - https://earlwyvern.bandcamp.com/album/billionaire-dionsaurs-turned-me-gayBeaver Slap - https://beaverslapofficial.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-the-rockpileAngry Spells -  Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/angryspells Bandcamp - https://angryspells.bandcamp.com/album/burnNova Doll - https://novadoll.bandcamp.com/The Dead Milkmen - https://thedeadmilkmen.bandcamp.com/album/quaker-city-quiet-pillsTarantula Tapes - https://tarantulacassettes.bandcamp.com/

On this episode, award-winning musician, writer, poet, activist, broadcaster and washing machine engineer Joe Solo speaks about spreading his message of social justice, anti-fascism, and socialism in his music and books from Scarborough. Not the Scarborough that will jump into the minds of people raised in southern Ontario, but the one across the Atlantic on England’s North Sea coast.Solo began his musical journey in 1987 and has seen him leaping around with pop-punk upstarts Lithium Joe or his solo albums hammering out his unique brand of Folk, Punk and Blues. His songs bring to mind great lyrical thinkers like Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Joe Hill, and Billy Bragg.He’s a prolific artist, having released twenty-one albums since 2004, writing a series of children’s books for Unison on social justice and equality, running a research project on the Hull Pals Battalions in the First World War, hosting a weekly Monday night radio show; and through causes like WE SHALL OVERCOME, a campaign he helped create that pushes for a positive response from the music community to the poverty and hardship inflicted on ordinary people by the government’s austerity program, which was introduced in 2010. Since October 2015, WE SHALL OVERCOME has organized more than 1100 gigs in the UK and beyond, raising upwards of £750,000 in cash, food, clothing and bedding for those hit hardest by the cuts. In an article for the Magazine Tribune published in April 2023, titled How Austerity Broke Britain Grace Blakeley wrote of the cuts instituted under Tory rule for the past 13 years. The article reads, “Cuts to early intervention services have created greater demands on the public sector as those in need of support fall through the net, only to end up experiencing severe crises further down the line. Poverty, homelessness, and violent crime have all increased due to the government’s decision to abandon those most in need of public sector support.In short, as anyone living in the UK will have noticed, the institutions designed to protect our health and well-being are crumbling. Since austerity, we have increasingly lived in a society in which the population is being left to fend for itself.”Support Wood-stein.ca by becoming a Patron.https://www.patreon.com/ColinBurrowesor by donating through Paypalhttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QBZG6EHTUYZ4YLinks related to this episode.Joe Solo Bandcamp - https://joesolomusic.bandcamp.com/The Men They Couldn’t Hang - https://thementheycouldnthang.bandcamp.com/musicBilly Bragg - https://billybragg.bandcamp.com/album/the-million-things-that-never-happened 

As anti-trans rhetoric gets normalized across Canada, activists stand up to the hatred.  This episode highlights the work and activism of Celeste Trianon, a trans-feminine jurist and activist. On the legal front, she helps people in Quebec with name and gender marker changes. Across Canada, she has been involved in activism, resisting hatred directed towards the 2SLGBTQIA community, specifically trans, two-spirit and non-binary people.On September 20, nationwide pro-2SLGBTQIA+ gatherings are planned in cities across Canada as counter-protests to stand against protests against the 2SLGBTQIA+ planned for the same day. There is an up-to-date list of locations available at https://www.instagram.com/p/CxWa_opo_Ll/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==The list also includes some protest safety tips.Celeste Trianon's official website - https://celeste.lgbt/en/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/celesteffsInstagram with posts listing marches supporting Trans rights in cities across Canada September 20 - http://instagram.com/celestetrianonLinked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/celestetrianon/Support www.Wood-stein.ca by becoming a Patron.https://www.patreon.com/ColinBurrowesor by donating through Paypalhttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QBZG6EHTUYZ4YLinks to find music played on this episode.Earl Wyvern - https://earlwyvern.bandcamp.com/album/billionaire-dionsaurs-turned-me-gay

This episode features a conversation with singer-songwriter Carol Hodge. She is a versatile musician living in Yorkshire, UK, who has been performing styles as diverse as the punk sounds of CRASS, which she has been touring with Steve Ignorant since 2011, to introspective pop songs full of intelligence, wit and poignancy delivered with a “cynical optimism.”Hodge’s life is deeply steeped in music, and it keeps her quite busy as she also performs as a keyboardist/backing vocalist with various established artists, including Ginger Wildheart and Jon Poole (Cardiacs, Dr. Hook) and Steve Ignorant's Slice Of Life.On this podcast, Hodge talks about touring, songwriting, musical influences, collaborations and life after choosing sobriety. For more information on her music, visit https://www.carolhodge.co.uk/.Support Wood-stein.ca by becoming a Patron.https://www.patreon.com/ColinBurrowesor by donating through Paypalhttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QBZG6EHTUYZ4YLinks to find music played on this episodeW.O.R.M. - https://worm2.bandcamp.com/album/epic-proportions-vol-1CRASS - https://crass.bandcamp.com/album/penis-envyMiles Davis - https://milesdavis.bandcamp.com/album/prestige-lp-161Steve Ignorant’s Slice of Life - https://ramsgatemusichall.bandcamp.com/album/steve-ignorants-slice-of-life-live-at-ramsgate-music-hallGreen Day - https://greenday.lnk.to/dookieCardiacs - https://alphabet-business-concern.bandcamp.com/album/sing-to-god-vol-i-iiGinger Wildheart - https://gingerwildheart.bandcamp.com/album/555-triple-album-30-songs-2012Carol Hodge “Vertiginous Drops” - https://carolxhodge.bandcamp.com/album/vertiginous-dropsRyan Hamilton and Carol Hodge - https://carolxhodge.bandcamp.com/album/silver-moonCarol Hodge “Hodge Alive! In Leicester” - https://carolxhodge.bandcamp.com/album/hodge-alive-in-leicesterJoe Solo & Rebekah Findlay- https://joesolomusic.bandcamp.com/album/collectedCarol Hodge “A Song For You” - https://carolxhodge.bandcamp.com/track/a-song-for-you 

This episode spotlights harm reduction services provided by Positive Living Niagara.  Talia Storm, Director of StreetWorks Services, discusses supervised consumption, safer supply and other services that have saved lives during the toxic drug crisis. As Storm says, the staff at StreetWorks are just the passengers, and the individuals accessing the services are driving the car because harm reduction is an aspect of the treatment continuum that aims to empower and respect a person’s right to self-determination.There were 36,442 apparent opioid toxicity deaths in Canada between January 2016 and December 2022.A total of 7,328 apparent opioid toxicity deaths occurred in 2022. This is an average of 20 deaths per day. In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, the average number of deaths per day was 10. The average number of deaths per day peaked at 22 in 2021. However, based on current national data, analyses show no significant decrease in trend, and rates remain high.Support Wood-stein.ca by becoming a Patron.https://www.patreon.com/ColinBurrowesor by donating through Paypalhttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QBZG6EHTUYZ4YLinks related to this episode. StreetWorks Harm Reduction Services - https://positivelivingniagara.com/service-provider/streetworks-needle-exchange“Chasing the Scream” by Johann Hari - https://chasingthescream.comSpatiotemporal Analysis Exploring the Effect of Law Enforcement Drug Market Disruptions on Overdose, Indianapolis, Indiana, 2020–2021 - https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/full/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307291?role=tabDoes evidence support supervised injection sites? -  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5685449/Tackling the overdose crisis: The role of safe supply - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7252037/Impact of safer supply programs on injection practices: client and provider experiences in Ontario, Canada - https://harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-023-00817-7The Harm Reduction Journal - https://harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/Data on overdoses and deaths involving opioids or stimulants from January 2016 to December 2022 in Canada - https://health-infobase.canada.ca/src/doc/SRHD/Update_Deaths_2023-06.pdfLinks to find music played on this episodeSNFU - https://rb.gy/a1s21Apocalypse Hoboken - https://www.facebook.com/ApocalypseHoboken/

Since May, a group of concerned citizens known as the Drag Storytime Guardians have supported Drag Story Time and Pride events throughout Southwestern Ontario. At the heart of the guardians is a 70-year-old biker, Sista Patricia, who has been putting what she has learned, marching for the rights of women and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, into action to protect families and drag queens from far-right fanatics who show up at libraries to protest Drag Story Time.In this episode, Sista Patricia discusses how she came to be involved with the Guardians, the work they are doing and her thoughts on why the protesters are feeling bold enough to show their hate without regard for how they are perceived in this era.In a related theme to the main focus of this episode, Woodstein Media also wishes respect and love to the Minneapolis, Minnesota music scene based around the 2SLGBTQIA+ friendly punk music venue Nudieland. Sadly, on August 11, the house venue was the scene of a mass shooting that injured six people and killed one beloved member of the scene, August Golden.A couple of GoFundMe campaigns have been created after the shooting. One will go toward the "medical bills, lost wages, rent, food and other basic needs" of those impacted. A separate fundraiser was created to support August's partner.The poetry at the beginning of the episode is by Jimmy Cooper, whose band, Texture Freq, was having a release celebration at Nudieland on the night of the shooting. The episode ends with the song Jackknife by August Golden’s band Scrounger, and the classic song Ich Bin Ein Auslander by Pop Will Eat Itself and Fun-Da-Mental warning of being “trampled under foot of the right on the rise.” Support Wood-stein.ca by becoming a Patron.https://www.patreon.com/ColinBurrowesor by donating through Paypalhttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QBZG6EHTUYZ4YLinks related to this episode.Drag Storytime Guardians Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/668134058487048 Support for victims of Nudieland shooting in Mpls - https://gofund.me/4ee7fabcHelp Support August Golden’s partner - https://gofund.me/a142f093Music and Poetry linksFurious Beautiful Zines - https://furiousbeautiful.bandcamp.com/album/this-is-my-place-in-thingsScrounger - https://scrounger.bandcamp.com/album/at-the-edge-of-our-abilitiesPop Will Eat Itself - http://www.popwilleatitself.net/pwei/Fun-Da-Mental - https://akifdm.bandcamp.com/music 

The friendships that pulled the Yeastie Girlz together in the 1980s have stood the test of time. Although Cammie Toloui, Joyce Jimenez, Jane Guskin, and Kate (Rosenberger) Razo now live in four cities, making it tough to pull together gatherings in person, recent events brought them together online regularly. The Yeastie Girlz have accomplished much in their life experiences over the past 35 years. While they have been busy living, their message spread as one of their songs became a dance club hit when they collaborated with Consolidated, a radical activist industrial band. This team-up boosted “You Suck” into clubs around the globe, and then it was used by Aerosmith to pump up their audience on their 1994 tour.More recently, samples of songs from their Ovary Action 7” EP were used in a song by the pop band TV Girl. When it went viral on social media, the Yeastie Girlz had to step in to make sure they were treated fairly, especially given the fact that they questioned the intention of the TV Girl song; however, on the positive side, when this song went viral, it introduced Yeast Power to a whole new generation.In this episode, the Yeastie Girlz talk about the group’s legacy – how the songs and ideas have aged, connecting to new fans via social media and old-fashioned postal mail, books, bookshops, bands, and the possibility of new raps.Support Wood-stein.ca by becoming a Patron.https://www.patreon.com/ColinBurrowesor by donating through Paypalhttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QBZG6EHTUYZ4YYeastie Girlz https://www.yeastiegirlz.com/All the Yeastie Girlz music included in this episode can be found on their website https://www.yeastiegirlz.com/musicWendy O​-​Matik and Noah Landis https://prank.bandcamp.com/track/spoken-wordConsolidated featuring the Yeastie Girlz https://music.apple.com/ng/album/you-suck/23482090?i=23482056Jane’s band https://huasipungo.bandcamp.com/album/seguimos-en-la-lucha-carajoJane’s book https://monthlyreview.org/product/politics_of_immigration/Kate’s artwork https://www.katerazo.com/Kate’s bookstore https://www.dogearedbooks.com/Cammie’s jewelry https://unmuteddesigns.com/Cammie’s photography http://www.cammiet.com/Cammie’s book https://void.photo/5dollarsListen to Woodstein Media Podcast episode 19.  https://wood-stein.ca/2023/06/26/woodstein-media-podcast-episode-19-yeastie-girlz-part-1-the-birth-of-vaginacore-a-cappella-rap/The Yeastie Girlz want you to send them ACTUAL mail:PO Box 40788San Francisco, CA94140USAPhoto contributed by Yeastie Girlz: The photo used for part two was taken when all four Yeastie Girlz reunited in 2021.