The CUSW Spotlight Podcast

A union is at its best when people are pulling in the same direction.
As CUSW continues to grow across Canada, that becomes both more important and more challenging. Members in different regions face different realities, industries, and economic pressures, yet they are all connected by a common goal: building a stronger future for themselves, their families, and the communities they call home.
In this episode, Cody Quan returns to the Spotlight Podcast to talk about unity. The conversation explores the importance of listening, understanding regional perspectives, staying informed, and creating opportunities for members to be heard. From affordability concerns and workforce development to member engagement and leadership, Cody shares why communication and highlighting wins remain one of the most important tools a union can have.
At the heart of the discussion is a simple idea: when members understand one another, participate in the conversation, and work toward common goals, everyone benefits, not just the union, but the country as a whole.
Want to connect with Cody or learn more?  Feel free to reach out to him directly at 𝗰𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗻@𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘄.𝗰𝗮

Make sure you visit https://www.cusw.ca/ to explore more opportunities and resources. 
If you have a story to share, a guest to suggest, or a topic you’d like to hear on the podcast, email us at 𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁@𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘄.𝗰𝗮. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and colleagues to help shine the spotlight on the incredible work happening at CUSW!  
🔻 Learn More About CUSW  
Discover who we are and what we stand for: CUSW - Who We Are 
🔻 Stay Informed  
Get the latest news and updates: CUSW News 
🔻 Get in Touch  
Need to contact CUSW? Find out how: CUSW Contact Page 
🔻 Get Involved  
Explore opportunities to participate and make a difference: CUSW Participation Model 
🔻 Never Miss an Episode  
Catch up on all our podcast episodes here: Listen Here 
🎧 Listen Anytime, Anywhere! – Find our podcast on all major directories, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.
📺 Watch the Podcast on YouTube! – Subscribe and watch full episodes on our official YouTube channel. Watch Here
🎵 Music Credits: Music Credits: Original music by Glen MacNeil (lyrics, vocals, guitar) with production by Brad MacNeil.
Tune in, stay inspired, and keep shining that CUSW spotlight!

Some people spend years searching for where they belong. For 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗸, that journey has taken him across the North, around the world as an Inuit Games athlete, and into a new career in the skilled trades.

What makes this conversation memorable is not the number of medals won or countries visited, it's 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻𝗻𝘆'𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲. Throughout the episode, he shares lessons learned through, family, culture, recovery, friendship, and work. 
The discussion explores the importance of 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳, the value of strong relationships, and how finding the place you fit in can change the direction of your life.

As an Inuk from Nunavut, Johnny also reflects on community, identity, and the experiences that shaped him into the person he is today. Whether he's talking about Inuit culture, learning new skills, or building a future in the trades, one message comes through clearly: 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳.

Want to connect with Johnny? Feel free to reach out to him directly at snurraq@gmail.com

If you have a story to share, a guest to suggest, or a topic you’d like to hear on the podcast, email us at 𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁@𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘄.𝗰𝗮. 

And if you enjoyed this episode, like it, follow it, and share it with your friends and colleagues to help shine the spotlight on the incredible work happening at CUSW! 
🔻 Learn More About CUSW  
Discover who we are and what we stand for: CUSW - Who We Are 
🔻 Stay Informed  
Get the latest news and updates: CUSW News 
🔻 Get in Touch  
Need to contact CUSW? Find out how: CUSW Contact Page 
🔻 Get Involved  
Explore opportunities to participate and make a difference: CUSW Participation Model 
🔻 Never Miss an Episode  
Catch up on all our podcast episodes here: Listen Here 
🎧 Listen Anytime, Anywhere! – Find our podcast on all major directories, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.
📺 Watch the Podcast on YouTube! – Subscribe and watch full episodes on our official YouTube channel. Watch Here
🎵 Music Credits: Music Credits: Original music by Glen MacNeil (lyrics, vocals, guitar) with production by Brad MacNeil.
Tune in, stay inspired, and keep shining that CUSW spotlight!

Daniel Deleary brings a perspective that reaches far beyond the trades.
Rooted in Anishinaabe teachings, community, culture, and lifelong service to Indigenous people, Daniel shares a conversation centered on connection to the earth, to one another, and to the work of creating something better for future generations.
Throughout the episode, the discussion moves between Indigenous worldview, skilled trades, mental wellness, ceremony, purpose, environmental responsibility, and the importance of approaching life with respect and balance. What stands out most is the reminder that progress does not come from division or ego, but from people willing to listen, learn, and build together.
Daniel also reflects on the growing presence of Indigenous workers in the skilled trades through his work with ISEAD, and the importance of creating meaningful pathways, support systems, and opportunities that allow people and communities to thrive.
More than an interview, this episode feels like a shared perspective on humanity, responsibility, and the kind of world we leave behind for the next generation.
Want to connect with Daniel or learn more about ISEAD? Feel free to reach out to him directly at ddeleary@isead.ca
🔻 Learn More About ISEAD
https://www.isead.ca/
Visit https://www.cusw.ca/ to explore more opportunities and resources. If you have a story to share, a guest to suggest, or a topic you’d like to hear on the podcast, email us at 𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁@𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘄.𝗰𝗮. 
And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and colleagues to help shine the spotlight on the incredible work happening at CUSW! 
🔻 Learn More About CUSW  
Discover who we are and what we stand for: CUSW - Who We Are 
🔻 Stay Informed  
Get the latest news and updates: CUSW News 
🔻 Get in Touch  
Need to contact CUSW? Find out how: CUSW Contact Page 
🔻 Get Involved  
Explore opportunities to participate and make a difference: CUSW Participation Model 
🔻 Never Miss an Episode  
Catch up on all our podcast episodes here: Listen Here 
🎧 Listen Anytime, Anywhere! – Find our podcast on all major directories, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.
📺 Watch the Podcast on YouTube! – Subscribe and watch full episodes on our official YouTube channel. Watch Here
🎵 Music Credits: Music Credits: Original music by Glen MacNeil (lyrics, vocals, guitar) with production by Brad MacNeil.
Tune in, stay inspired, and keep shining that CUSW spotlight!

Some people join a union for a job. Others stay because they find a place where their voice can make a difference.
For 𝗞𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗮𝘂, what started with answering a newspaper ad back in 1999 turned into more than two decades of involvement, leadership, mentorship, and helping build what 𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗪 has become today. 
From serving as Chief Steward at Darlington Nuclear to multiple terms on the National Executive Board, Kris has seen the union grow from a few hundred members to thousands across Canada.
In this episode, 𝗞𝗿𝗶𝘀 reflects on the early days of 𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗪, the value of member participation, and why the union’s bottom-up approach continues to matter. The conversation touches on everything from working away from home and balancing family life, to mentorship, workplace safety, and the importance of simply talking to one another and staying informed.
More than anything, this episode is a reminder that unions are built by people through conversations, shared experiences, and members willing to step forward and help shape what comes next.
Want to connect with Kris or learn more? Feel free to reach out to him directly at 𝗸𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗮𝘂@𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘄.𝗰𝗮 
Visit https://www.cusw.ca/ to explore more opportunities and resources. If you have a story to share, a guest to suggest, or a topic you’d like to hear on the podcast, email us at 𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁@𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘄.𝗰𝗮. 
And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and colleagues to help shine the spotlight on the incredible work happening at CUSW! 
🔻 Learn More About CUSW  
Discover who we are and what we stand for: CUSW - Who We Are 
🔻 Stay Informed  
Get the latest news and updates: CUSW News 
🔻 Get in Touch  
Need to contact CUSW? Find out how: CUSW Contact Page 
🔻 Get Involved  
Explore opportunities to participate and make a difference: CUSW Participation Model 
🔻 Never Miss an Episode  
Catch up on all our podcast episodes here: Listen Here 
🎧 Listen Anytime, Anywhere! – Find our podcast on all major directories, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.
📺 Watch the Podcast on YouTube! – Subscribe and watch full episodes on our official YouTube channel. Watch Here
🎵 Music Credits: Music Credits: Original music by Glen MacNeil (lyrics, vocals, guitar) with production by Brad MacNeil.
Tune in, stay inspired, and keep shining that CUSW spotlight!

In honour of the 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, and those that lost their lives or were injured in the workplace, Dan has a difficult but important conversation with 𝗥𝗼𝗯 𝗘𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀, 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸, who shares the story of losing his 18-year-old son, 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱, in a preventable workplace accident on just his second day of work. 
A moment that changed everything, and a loss that no family should ever have to face.

Instead of turning away and feeling angry, Rob chose to speak up. For the past two decades, he’s been travelling across Canada, working with young workers, unions, and employers to push for better training, better communication, and safer workplaces for everyone.

Their conversation goes beyond reflection. They discuss the reality of what happens when safety is overlooked, the importance of speaking up on the job, and why the first days at work are more important than we think. 
They also touch on the role we all play,  workers, leaders, parents, and coworkers, in making sure everyone gets home safe at the end of the day.

As we are one day from April 28, the message is clear:
𝗪𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗲’𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘁, 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻.

Want to connect with Rob Ellis or learn more?  Feel free to reach out to him directly at 𝗿𝗼𝗯@𝗺𝘆𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸.𝗰𝗼𝗺 and don't forget to sign the pledge at https://www.mysafework.com/

Make the Day of Mourning, a day for positive change.

Visit https://www.cusw.ca/ to explore more opportunities and resources. If you have a story to share, a guest to suggest, or a topic you’d like to hear on the podcast, email us at podcast@cusw.ca. 

And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and colleagues to help shine the spotlight on the incredible work happening at CUSW!  

🔻 Learn More About CUSW  
Discover who we are and what we stand for: CUSW - Who We Are 
🔻 Stay Informed  
Get the latest news and updates: CUSW News 
🔻 Get in Touch  
Need to contact CUSW? Find out how: CUSW Contact Page 
🔻 Get Involved  
Explore opportunities to participate and make a difference: CUSW Participation Model 
🔻 Never Miss an Episode  
Catch up on all our podcast episodes here: Listen Here 
🎧 Listen Anytime, Anywhere! – Find our podcast on all major directories, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.
📺 Watch the Podcast on YouTube! – Subscribe and watch full episodes on our official YouTube channel. Watch Here
🎵 Music Credits: Music Credits: Original music by Glen MacNeil (lyrics, vocals, guitar) with production by Brad MacNeil.
Tune in, stay inspired, and keep shining that CUSW spotlight!