413 episodes
- Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault, drug-facilitated sexual violence, and victim blaming. Listener discretion is advised.
What happens when the justice system fails women, and why are we still asking victims to defend themselves instead of demanding accountability from men?
Jann Arden, Caitlin Green and Sarah Burke are joined by Icelandic author, activist and Jann's wife, Thordis Elva, for an urgent conversation sparked by the Cornell Seven case, in which a former Cornell University student has accused seven fraternity members of sexual assault.
Together, they examine masculinity, male entitlement, the consequences of silence, and the uncomfortable question of whether public shaming has become a necessary tool when traditional systems of justice fall short.
Thordis challenges the narrow definition of masculinity that discourages vulnerability while rewarding dominance, and explains why men need to take responsibility for confronting harmful behaviour among their peers.
The conversation also explores the growing #IAmJaneDoe movement, a powerful demonstration of solidarity with a woman whose identity has been threatened with public exposure. It's a reminder that collective action can create change, and that sexual violence is not simply a women's issue.
Learn more:
https://www.thordiselva.com/
Watch Thordis' Elva's TED Talk, Our Story of Rape and Reconciliation: https://www.ted.com/speakers/thordis_elva
Note: The allegations in the Cornell case remain under investigation. The accused have denied wrongdoing, and no criminal convictions have been established in connection with the allegations discussed.
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Proudly produced by Women in Media Network:
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(00:00) Introduction and Content Warning
(03:00) The Cornell Case and Its Implications
(05:59) Understanding Toxic Masculinity
(08:47) Public Shaming: A Double-Edged Sword
(12:01) The Role of the Justice System
(15:13) Reforming Masculinity and Society
(18:01) Cultural Reflections on Violence and Accountability
(25:25) Entitlement and Privilege in Society
(30:30) The Crisis of Masculinity
(37:38) The Role of Men in Addressing Violence
(41:50) The Power of Collective Action
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices - In this episode of 'Behind the Song', Jann Arden delves into the inspiration behind her song 'Unloved', going back to living in a basement suite, a gift from her father, and the impact of literature on her songwriting. She details the creative process that led to its writing and recording. She reflects on themes of love, belonging, and the human experience, while also recounting her collaboration with Jackson Browne and a ghostly encounter that influenced her creativity.
#ASKJANN - tell us what song you want to hear about next! Or, want some life advice from Jann? Send in a story with a DM or on our website.
Leave us a voicenote!
www.jannardenpod.com/voicemail/
Get access to bonus content and more on Patreon:
www.patreon.com/JannArdenPod
Connect with us:
www.jannardenpod.com
www.instagram.com/jannardenpod
www.facebook.com/jannardenpod
Proudly produced by Women in Media Network:
https://www.womeninmedia.network/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices - Actor, educator, and community activist Sarah McVie joins Jann Arden, Sarah Burke, and Caitlin Green to talk about her run for Mayor of Toronto and the experiences that led her there. After facing housing insecurity and sewage flooding in her own home, McVie says she wants to change how the city plans and make residents’ voices count.
The conversation explores housing and cooperative ownership, community-led planning, TTC service and safety, youth engagement, term limits, ranked ballots, and protecting Toronto’s waterways. McVie also shares why she believes in meeting people face-to-face, listening across differences, and building a city where communities have more power to shape their future.
More About Sarah McVie:
Sarah is internationally recognized for her work in television, including Workin’ Moms and The Handmaid’s Tale, and on stage with the Stratford Festival. A published playwright and arts educator, including seven years as a lecturer at Carleton University, her work finds shared understanding and connections through deep examination of human behaviour. In recent years, Sarah was a driving force behind the formation of the Black Creek Flood Coalition, mobilizing residents to strengthen a community facing years of neglected infrastructure. With a lifetime of community service, volunteering, serving on boards, juries, and advisory panels, she continues to champion integrity, accountability, and courage in public service.Sarah was working on a degree in psychology at Athabasca University when she decided to put that work on pause and run for elected office of Mayor of Toronto. Her goal is to restructure City systems to deliver affordability, financial responsibility, and accountability to residents.
https://mayormcvie.ca/
https://www.instagram.com/sarahmcvie/
#ASKJANN - Want some life advice from Jann? Send in a story with a DM or on our website.
Leave us a voicenote!
www.jannardenpod.com/voicemail/
Get access to bonus content and more on Patreon:
www.patreon.com/JannArdenPod
Connect with us:
www.jannardenpod.com
www.instagram.com/jannardenpod
www.facebook.com/jannardenpod
Proudly produced by Women in Media Network:
https://www.womeninmedia.network/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices - Jann welcomes back high school friend Holly Fortier to delve into the complex history of Indigenous peoples in Canada ahead of September 30th, focusing on the impact of residential schools, the legacy of the Indian Act, and the ongoing journey towards truth and reconciliation. Holly shares her personal connection to these issues through the lens of her mother's experience in a residential school.
Holly also speaks about her work in the film industry, her passion for storytelling, and the importance of Indigenous representation in the arts. She also discusses the significance of teaching Indigenous history to children, and the need for self-care and recognition of Indigenous excellence.
More About Holly Fortier:
Holly is Cree/Dene from Ft. McKay First Nation, Alberta, was born in Treaty 7 Territory and was fortunate to be raised by cultural leaders, academics and activists. She owns a business that specializes in the development and delivery of Indigenous Awareness Training. She has been delivering trainings across Canada since 2007 to thousands and thousands of participants from government, corporate clients, educators, service organizations and first responders.
Her passion for sharing Indigenous history and culture rises out of her mother's inspirational survival from a childhood in Indian Residential School, a story of courage, resilience and eventual triumph. Holly’s presentations go beyond facts and statistics to insightful personal testimony delivered in a compassionate, non-judgmental way. Those who attend her trainings describe them as “life changing” where they learn things they have never heard before and see complicated cultural issues with new perspective.
Holly’s Recommended Links:
21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality By Bob Joseph
https://link.amazon/B01iEyYeB
kinanâskomitin (Thank you in Cree)
~Holly Fortier~
www.nistoconsulting.com
www.twocanoesmedia.com
https://twocanoesmedia.com/a-mothers-voice/
https://vimeo.com/1077758553/d8f1b7aa59?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
Support is available during Truth and Reconciliation Week. If you require support, please contact the 24-Hour Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.
Leave us a voicenote!
www.jannardenpod.com/voicemail/
Get access to bonus content and more on Patreon:
www.patreon.com/JannArdenPod
Connect with us:
www.jannardenpod.com
www.instagram.com/jannardenpod
www.facebook.com/jannardenpod
Proudly produced by Women in Media Network:
https://www.womeninmedia.network/
Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction to Indigenous Stories
(03:07) The Impact of Residential Schools
(05:46) Understanding Traditional Territories
(09:02) The Historical Context of Indigenous Relations
(12:01) The Legacy of the Indian Act
(15:00) Apologies and Healing
(17:55) Cultural Genocide and Its Effects
(21:08) The Importance of Truth and Reconciliation
(23:48) The Role of Arts in Indigenous Advocacy
(26:59) Looking Forward: Hope and Change
(32:12) The Journey into Film and Storytelling
(37:22) Indigenous Representation in the Arts
(41:08) Teaching Indigenous History to Children
49:06 Self-Care and Indigenous Excellence
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices - Jann Arden invites friend and politician Janis Irwin to discuss the current political landscape in Alberta. They discuss the rise of misinformation, the importance of empathy in political discourse, and the need for civic engagement, especially regarding Alberta separatism.
More About Janis Irwin:
Janis Irwin was first elected to the Alberta Legislature as the NDP MLA for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood in 2019, and was re-elected in 2023. Janis currently serves as the Shadow Minister for Housing.
Prior to being elected, Janis worked for Alberta Education as the Executive Director for High School Curriculum. She started her career in education as a high school teacher and vice principal in rural Alberta.
Janis holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Alberta and a master’s degree from the University of Calgary. Janis loves being outside and spending time with her cats Oregano and Basil.
Links from Janis:
For Alberta, For Canada – resources from the Alberta NDP: https://foralbertaforcanada.ca/
Our Voice, Our Vote – Treaty 6’s stance on the referendum: https://www.treatysix.org/referendum
Alberta’s Voice – overview of the referendum:
https://albertasvoice.ca/
Know the Nine – breaks down the nine questions:
https://knowthenine.ca/
Forever Canadian – all about Question 10, staying in Canada:
https://www.forever-canadian.ca/en
Alberta NDP: Janis IrwinAlberta NDP Caucus: Janis Irwin MLA profileLegislative Assembly of Alberta: Current MLAs
Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction and Context of Alberta's Political Landscape
(04:47) Conversations with Constituents: Empathy and Understanding
(10:21) The Role of Misinformation and Fear in Politics
(14:46) The Importance of Voting and Civic Engagement
(20:04) Financial Insecurity and Its Impact on Political Ideology
(24:52) The Need for a Vision in Politics
(30:01) Community, Support, and Self-Care in Politics
#ASKJANN - tell us what song you want to hear about next! Or, want some life advice from Jann? Send in a story with a DM or on our website.
Leave us a voicenote!
www.jannardenpod.com/voicemail/
Get access to bonus content and more on Patreon:
www.patreon.com/JannArdenPod
Connect with us:
www.jannardenpod.com
www.instagram.com/jannardenpod
www.facebook.com/jannardenpod
Proudly produced by Women in Media Network:
https://www.womeninmedia.network/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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About The Jann Arden Podcast
THE JANN ARDEN PODCAST is a weekly show hosted by multi-talented Canadian icon Jann Arden alongside Caitlin Green and Sarah Burke. The self-titled podcast discusses the challenges, triumphs, and tribulations of everyday life. Every week, you can expect a relatable experience that explores what makes all humans authentically themselves with a variety of special guests including musicians, actors, politicians, writers, and athletes. New episodes publish every Friday!
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