Mind The Disruption

What makes a public green space healthy for everyone? Listen to this episode to hear how Dr. Nadha Hassen is disrupting the status quo through intersectional and anti-racist approaches in research and community collaborations. Nadha speaks with host Pemma Muzumdar, sharing unique insights on why public green spaces are a critical part of public health infrastructure.

Episode Guest: Dr. Nadha Hassen is a public health and environmental studies scholar focused on healthy, just, and equitable places and environments. Dr. Hassen’s research explores health and social equity and takes an interdisciplinary approach with a focus on intersectional anti-racism. Her research and evaluation work is community-engaged and participatory where she collaborates with marginalized communities to address the social, structural, and environmental determinants of health. As an interdisciplinary health researcher, she has worked at both policy and community levels, with experiences spanning grassroots and nonprofit organizations, hospitals, provincial government, and think tanks. Dr. Hassen has a PhD from the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change at York University and a Master of Public Health from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, specializing in Social and Behavioural Health Sciences.

Learn more:

Park Perceptions and Racialized Realities

Narratives of exclusion: A photovoice study towards racial equity and justice in public urban greenspaces

Methodological desire lines: Engaging with feminist and anti-racist approaches to researching health and place

Rx For Social Connection: Public space as a strategy to combat loneliness

Measuring Health, Wellbeing, and Equity in Greenspaces: A Toolkit & Common Indicators Framework

Core competencies for public health in Canada: Release 2.0

Episode Credits: This episode was produced by Pemma Muzumdar and Rebecca Cheff (NCCDH). Mind the Disruption is hosted by Pemma Muzumdar and led by Rebecca Cheff, with technical production and original music by Chris Perry. Promotion by Caralyn Vossen (NCCDH). Artwork by comet art + design. Special thanks to Bernice Yanful and Carolina Jimenez for contributing to the development of this season. Mind the Disruption is a podcast by the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health. NCCDH is hosted by St. Francis Xavier University and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the PHAC.

Welcome back! In the fourth season of Mind the Disruption, we focus on healthy and just places and spaces. 

We’ll explore topics such as the natural and built environment, belonging, a safe and secure place to call home, and cultural humility and safety. Join us as we reflect on opportunities for people in public health to work with others to create healthy and just places and spaces for everyone. Season 4 includes four episodes released starting in April 2026.  

This season of Mind the Disruption is hosted by Pemma Muzumdar, and is produced by Rebecca Cheff and Pemma Muzumdar. The Mind the Disruption project team is led by Rebecca Cheff, with technical production and original music by Chris Perry. Special thanks to Bernice Yanful and Carolina Jimenez for contributing to the development of this season. Mind the Disruption is a podcast by the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health. Visit our website to learn more about the podcast and our work.

In response to rising tensions and unmet needs in its downtown core, the City of Edmonton’s RECOVER Urban Wellbeing team and partners questioned assumptions and embarked on a journey of deep listening and co-creation of solutions with residents to cultivate connectedness and well-being. Check out this episode, featuring former RECOVER project manager Sue Holdsworth, to discover how RECOVER’s well-being framework can be used to transform how we design, deliver and evaluate programs and services to foster essential, but often overlooked, non-material aspects of health and well-being.     
(00:00) Introduction
(2:10) Interview with Sue Holdsworth
Episode Guest:
With two interdisciplinary degrees, Sue Holdsworth has worked for three local governments and an NGO as an urban planner, a social planner and a project manager. From 2020-2024, she was the project manager for RECOVER Urban Wellbeing at the City of Edmonton. It focused on people living on the margins and used social R&D to find and test new solutions. Sue has a love for learning and systems thinking, and she is drawn to complex, transformative projects.  
Learn more:
City of Edmonton's Recover: Edmonton's Urban Wellness Plan 
The Soulful City Report (includes Framework for a Culture of Wellbeing of page 146) (2020)
Soloss
Episode Credits:
This episode was produced by Pemma Muzumdar, Rebecca Cheff and host Bernice Yanful (NCCDH). The Mind the Disruption project team is led by Rebecca Cheff, with technical production and original music by Chris Perry. Promotion by Caralyn Vossen (NCCDH). Artwork by comet art + design. Mind the Disruption is a podcast by the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health. NCCDH is hosted by St. Francis Xavier University and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the PHAC.

Engage Nova Scotia is working to better measure, understand and improve well-being for all Nova Scotians through a large Quality of Life survey, accessible data tools and deep community engagement. Over two episodes, you will meet multiple members of the vibrant Engage Nova Scotia team: Chief Engagement Officer Danny Graham, Outreach and Participation Lead Tammy Ewing, Community Outreach Lead for Equity Deserving Communities kamilah apong, and public health leader and Chair of Engage Nova Scotia’s Board of Directors Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed. Check out this episode (Part 2 of 2) to discover how they are disrupting usual approaches to data collection, embedding equity and accessibility, and building relationships and trust to tell a more complete story about what drives well-being.
(00:00) Introduction
(2:10) Interview with Engage Nova Scotia team  
Episode Guests:
Danny Graham has worked to advance justice reforms with the United Nations and countries spanning four continents. From 2005-2014 he was the Chief Negotiator on Aboriginal Reconciliation for the Province of Nova Scotia. He is the Chief Engagement Officer for Engage Nova Scotia – a non-profit that is equipping all sectors, and all levels of government in Canada with data-driven analysis about statistically unknowable, and sometimes ignored, issues. He is the Chair of the Craig Foundation, which is focussed on causes that promote acceptance and inclusion for autistic individuals and families. 
kamilah apong is constantly dreaming of new futures, using hope as discipline (Mariame Kaba). she is a curious facilitator that uses the arts and participatory engagement strategies to change the way we think about research, knowledge, and connection. she is a student of the elders who came before her. she has 15 years of community arts practice and a Bachelor of Arts in critical studies in equity & solidarity from the University of Toronto. 
Tammy Ewing is dedicated to advocating for and elevating opportunities that help people overcome challenges faced by Nova Scotia communities. She champions opportunities that uplift and empower people to overcome adversity. Driven by collaboration with like-minded individuals, she believes in giving voice to those traditionally overlooked and is a staunch advocate for equity for all Nova Scotians. Tammy likes to give back by being active in her community and others. 
Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed is the Associate Dean of Serving and Engaging Society for Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, and the Chair of the Board of Engage Nova Scotia. She is a public health specialist physician with 19 years’ experience, and formerly served as the Medical Officer of Health for the Halifax area and Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health for Nova Scotia. Gaynor is a passionate advocate for high-quality public health services and for anti-oppressive health care in Canada.
Learn more:
Engage Nova Scotia
Eight Domains of Wellbeing Framework
An Exploration of Wellbeing in Nova Scotia: A summary of results from the Nova Scotia Quality of Life Survey (2020)
Episode Credits:
This episode was produced by Pemma Muzumdar, Rebecca Cheff and host Bernice Yanful (NCCDH). The Mind the Disruption project team is led by Rebecca Cheff, with technical production and original music by Chris Perry. Promotion by Caralyn Vossen (NCCDH). Artwork by comet art + design. Mind the Disruption is a podcast by the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health. NCCDH is hosted by St. Francis Xavier University and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the PHAC.

Engage Nova Scotia is working to better measure, understand and improve well-being for all Nova Scotians through a large Quality of Life survey, accessible data tools and deep community engagement. Over two episodes, you will meet multiple members of the vibrant Engage Nova Scotia team: Chief Engagement Officer Danny Graham, Outreach and Participation Lead Tammy Ewing, Community Outreach Lead for Equity Deserving Communities kamilah apong, and public health leader and Chair of Engage Nova Scotia’s Board of Directors Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed. Check out this episode (Part 1 of 2) to discover why it is important to think differently about how we understand what makes communities and societies successful, equitable, healthy and well.
(00:00) Introduction
(2:10) Interview with Engage Nova Scotia team  
Episode Guests:
Danny Graham has worked to advance justice reforms with the United Nations and countries spanning four continents. From 2005-2014 he was the Chief Negotiator on Aboriginal Reconciliation for the Province of Nova Scotia. He is the Chief Engagement Officer for Engage Nova Scotia – a non-profit that is equipping all sectors, and all levels of government in Canada with data-driven analysis about statistically unknowable, and sometimes ignored, issues. He is the Chair of the Craig Foundation, which is focussed on causes that promote acceptance and inclusion for autistic individuals and families. 
kamilah apong is constantly dreaming of new futures, using hope as discipline (Mariame Kaba). she is a curious facilitator that uses the arts and participatory engagement strategies to change the way we think about research, knowledge, and connection. she is a student of the elders who came before her. she has 15 years of community arts practice and a Bachelor of Arts in critical studies in equity & solidarity from the University of Toronto. 
Tammy Ewing is dedicated to advocating for and elevating opportunities that help people overcome challenges faced by Nova Scotia communities. She champions opportunities that uplift and empower people to overcome adversity. Driven by collaboration with like-minded individuals, she believes in giving voice to those traditionally overlooked and is a staunch advocate for equity for all Nova Scotians. Tammy likes to give back by being active in her community and others. 
Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed is the Associate Dean of Serving and Engaging Society for Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, and the Chair of the Board of Engage Nova Scotia. She is a public health specialist physician with 19 years’ experience, and formerly served as the Medical Officer of Health for the Halifax area and Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health for Nova Scotia. Gaynor is a passionate advocate for high-quality public health services and for anti-oppressive health care in Canada.
Learn more:
Engage Nova Scotia
Eight Domains of Wellbeing Framework
An Exploration of Wellbeing in Nova Scotia: A summary of results from the Nova Scotia Quality of Life Survey (2020)
Episode Credits:
This episode was produced by Pemma Muzumdar, Rebecca Cheff and host Bernice Yanful (NCCDH). The Mind the Disruption project team is led by Rebecca Cheff, with technical production and original music by Chris Perry. Promotion by Caralyn Vossen (NCCDH). Artwork by comet art + design. Mind the Disruption is a podcast by the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health. NCCDH is hosted by St. Francis Xavier University and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the PHAC.