Accidental Intellectual

Health journalist, André Picard, joins us to discuss his accidental journey into a journalism career, solving big problems with pragmatism and patience, the responsibility to listen to and share stories, and so much more!

André Picard is a health reporter and columnist for The Globe and Mail, where he has been a staff writer since 1987. André is a graduate of the University of Ottawa and Carleton University and has received honorary doctorates from six universities, including UBC and the University of Toronto. He is also the author of five bestselling books, including “Matters of Life and Death: Public Health Issues in Canada.” André is an eight-time nominee for the National Newspaper Awards, Canada’s top journalism prize, a past winner of the prestigious Michener Award for Meritorious Public Service Journalism, and received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, for his dedication to improving healthcare.

Follow André Picard on Twitter. Read his articles at The Globe and Mail and check out his website for other published work.

This episode of Accidental Intellectual is produced by Bronwyn Lamond, Rachael Lyon, Harrison McNaughtan, Stephanie Morris, Lee Propp, and Ariana Simone. Our theme music is by Alexandra Willet and our branding by Maxwell McNaughtan.

To learn more about the Accidental Intellectual podcast and get full show notes and a transcript of this episode, visit our website at www.accidentalintellectual.com.

Diana Burchell, MA, OCT, joins us to discuss her transition from a teaching career to a doctoral research program, her personal experiences with disability and accessibility services, her involvement in starting a virtual peer support community amidst COVID-19, and so much more!

Diana is a doctoral student in Developmental Psychology and Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. She is the project coordinator for the International Bilingual Education project at the University of Toronto, which is developing new interventions and assessments in four different languages. Her current research focuses on assessing at-risk and multilingual learners in French as a Second Language programs using dynamic assessment methods. Diana is a certified teacher in French (Immersion, Extended and Core), English and Special Education. She also has experience working with the exceptionality community. Diana is highly passionate about the intersection of French as a Second Language, Exceptionalities and Mental Health as a marginalized population. She previously obtained her International Bachelor of Arts in French Studies and English Studies at Glendon College (York University) as well as her teaching degree in French.

This episode of Accidental Intellectual is produced by Bronwyn Lamond, Rachael Lyon, Harrison McNaughtan, Stephanie Morris, Lee Propp, and Ariana Simone. Our theme music is by Alexandra Willet and our branding by Maxwell McNaughtan.

To learn more about the Accidental Intellectual podcast and get full show notes and a transcript of this episode, visit our website at www.accidentalintellectual.com.

Todd Cunningham, Ph.D, CPsych, joins us to discuss his research in assistive technology and academic interventions, his journey into the field, his reflections on using technology to make the field of psychology more equitable and accessible, and so much more!

Dr. Cunningham is a clinical and school psychologist, Assistant Professor (Teaching Stream) and Chair of the School and Clinical Child Psychology program at the University of Toronto. He also provides psychological services through his private practice. His research investigates the support of students with learning difficulties from assessment to interventions. Projects involve looking at new techniques in psychological assessments, evaluation of assistive technology, professional development in literacy and numeracy, and telepsychology. Dr. Cunningham has shared his expertise with parents, students, educators, school boards, and other professionals across North America.

Follow Dr. Todd Cunningham on Twitter. Find out more about his lab and research here!

This episode of Accidental Intellectual is produced by Bronwyn Lamond, Rachael Lyon, Harrison McNaughtan, Stephanie Morris, Lee Propp, and Ariana Simone. Our theme music is by Alexandra Willet and our branding by Maxwell McNaughtan.

To learn more about the Accidental Intellectual podcast and get full show notes and a transcript of this episode, visit our website at www.accidentalintellectual.com.

Jonathan Weiss, Ph.D., CPsych, joins us to discuss connectedness, listening carefully to your inner compass, the tremendous value of giving one's time for volunteerism, and so much more!

Dr. Weiss is a clinical psychologist and an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at York University. His research focuses on mental health in people with autism or with intellectual disabilities across the lifespan. He conducts studies on how people with developmental disabilities access mental health care and is interested in their service needs, use, and experiences. His work is also focused on understanding and supporting family wellness when at least one family member has a developmental disability. He is interested in program development and evaluation, and in particular on the impact of Special Olympics on the psychological well-being of participants, and of psychosocial interventions to promote resilience and improve the mental health of children and adults with developmental disabilities. Dr. Weiss currently holds the York University Research Chair in Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disability Mental Health.

Follow Dr. Jonathan Weiss on Twitter. Find out more about his research program at York University, here, and more about the Canadian Special Olympics, here.

This episode of Accidental Intellectual is produced by Bronwyn Lamond, Rachael Lyon, Harrison McNaughtan, Stephanie Morris, Lee Propp, and Ariana Simone. Our theme music is by Alexandra Willet and our branding by Maxwell McNaughtan.

To learn more about the Accidental Intellectual podcast and get full show notes and a transcript of this episode, visit our website at www.accidentalintellectual.com.

Yonah Krakowsky, MD, FRCSC, joins us to discuss his work as the director of the Transition-Related Surgery Program at Women’s College Hospital, religion and the ways in which it enriches both his practice and his life, experiences telling stories on stage, and so much more!

Dr. Yonah Krakowsky is a surgeon-educator in the Division of Urology at the University of Toronto. He completed his medical school and urology residency at the University of Toronto and a fellowship in sexual medicine and surgery at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Krakowsky is the medical lead of the Transition-Related Surgery Program at Women's College Hospital and is the assistant program director of the urology residency program at the University of Toronto. His clinical and research interests are in peyronies disease, erectile dysfunction, female sexual medicine, and increasing access for trans surgery in Canada.

Follow Dr. Yonah Krakowsky on Twitter. Read his article about how he navigates practicing Orthodox Judaism and his work doing transition-related surgeries, here. Also, find out more about the Women’s College Hospital Transition-Related Surgery Program on their website!

This episode of Accidental Intellectual is produced by Bronwyn Lamond, Rachael Lyon, Harrison McNaughtan, Stephanie Morris, Lee Propp, and Ariana Simone. Our theme music is by Alexandra Willet and our branding by Maxwell McNaughtan.

To learn more about the Accidental Intellectual podcast and get full show notes and a transcript of this episode, visit our website at www.accidentalintellectual.com.