The Trauma & Mental Health Report Podcast

E7: Music Therapy Brings Healing to Inmates

How much do you know about music therapy? Many of us are able to find comfort and enjoyment in listening to, playing, or creating music, yet we don’t often speak about music as a form of professional therapy. In this episode, Trauma Report writer Promise Busulwa interviews Composer and Social Worker Alexandra Pajak about her experience as a music therapist working with women in the American prison system. She also talks about how these experiences influenced her latest album “Mind Electric”, which is made up of classical pieces composed to represent different types of mental illnesses.

E6: Making Sense of ‘Not Criminally Responsible’ as a Defense

In this episode, criminal defence lawyer Raymond Boggs discusses people who use the 'Not Criminally Responsible by Reason of Mental Disorder' (NCRMD) as a defence, and their recidivism rates for future crimes. Tune into this week’s podcast to learn about the legal issues surrounding this specific form of legal defence, as well as the impact it has on the people who use it.

E5: Confronting the Stigma of HIV: The Story of Ashley Rose Murphy

In this episode, Trauma Report writer Emma Bennet speaks with Ashley Rose Murphy, an ambassador for the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR). Born with HIV/AIDS, Ashley Rose Murphy uses her story to educate communities about the reality of living with this infamous immune disease. Tune in and to listen to Ashley speak bravely about her past, how she uses her lived experiences to spread positivity and awareness, and how she helps others learn to confront the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS.

E4: Living with Cystic Fibrosis

Deanna Gisborne speaks with Stephi Lee, who shares her experiences of living with cystic fibrosis and how it has affected her mental health. Stephi describes how her life has changed dramatically since the first treatment for cystic fibrosis, Trikafta, has been released, and how she uses her YouTube channel to share snippets of her life. Tune in to this week’s podcast to hear Stephi’s story.

E3: Compassion and Altruism

Author, neurosurgeon, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Dr. James Doty shares his unique story of an encounter with a woman in a magic shop that drastically changed his life, ultimately leading him to where he is today. This week, Trauma Report writer Eleni Neofytou speaks with Dr. Doty about his experiences. Listen to learn more about Dr. Doty’s compelling story, and his research into compassion and altruism.

E2: AI Technology

Trauma Report writer Lotus Vu speaks with Psychologist Albert “Skip” Rizzo, Director for Medical Virtual Reality at the Institute for Creative Technologies, who takes us through his virtual reality-based exposure therapy to treat PTSD.

E1: Environmental Anxiety

Tune in to our first ever podcast episode! Trauma Report writer Lucas Norton speaks with Dr. Susan Clayton about environmental anxiety, conservation psychology, and how we as humans react to our natural environment.