Voices Unheard - The Podcast Version
Voices Unheard was originally produced by Unicorns.LIVE in partnership with Kelowna Pride Society back in 2020. The intent of this series is to bring awareness to underrepresented members of society, which includes people of various racial backgrounds, sexuality, gender identity/expression, age, or ability. Host Jessica Samuels will engage a different guest each episode in a candid conversation about the challenges they have faced or continue to struggle with, elevating their voice and helping them to tell their stories.
Episodes
5 days ago
Voices Unheard S1E5 - James Sieben
5 days ago
5 days ago
Content Rating: Parental guidance is suggested for the designated age range (7-13 yrs); some material may not be suitable for all children due to coarse language. Host: Jessica SamuelsGuest: James SiebenSeason 1 - Episode: 05
James Sieben (he/him/his) is a trans gay man. On this episode of Voices Unheard, James will talk with Jessica about how he has experienced misogyny first-hand before coming out, and how he actually now benefits from misogyny because he “passes for male”. He’ll also discuss how he feels the recent rhetoric about trans people expressed by J.K. Rowling is harmful; the issue of anti-transness in sports; and why all cis LGBT2Q+ people should care about and fight for trans rights.
Monday Jun 24, 2024
Voices Unheard S1E4 - Toni Boot
Monday Jun 24, 2024
Monday Jun 24, 2024
Content Rating: Parental guidance is suggested for the designated age range (7-13 yrs); some material may not be suitable for all children due to coarse language. Host: Jessica SamuelsGuest: Toni BootSeason 1 - Episode: 04
Toni Boot (she/her/hers), mayor of Summerland, BC since being elected in 2018, joined Jessica Samuels for Episode 4. Originally from Summerland, Mayor Boot has quite the professional resume: she taught at Okanagan College for several years, co-owned Kettle Valley Dried Fruit Company, founded and owned Grasslands Nursery, holds a B.A. in Professional Communication, and entered local government in 2014 when she was elected to Summerland Council. During this 4-year period, she also sat as a director on the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS) board. The focus of this conversation will centre on being a woman of colour in government during such a politically-divisive and racially-charged time in modern history.
Monday Jun 24, 2024
Voices Unheard S1E3 - Alaina Young
Monday Jun 24, 2024
Monday Jun 24, 2024
Content Rating: Parental guidance is suggested for the designated age range (7-13 yrs); some material may not be suitable for all children due to coarse language. Host: Jessica SamuelsGuest: Alaina YoungSeason 1 - Episode: 03
Alaina Young (she/her/hers) is our guest for Episode 3. In her own words: “Plus-size, full-figured, curvaceous...I am a fat woman.” While consistently trying to improve her health by way of exercise and healthy eating, Alaina continues to struggle with her weight and the toll it takes on her mental health. Jessica Samuels discusses with Alaina the impact of modern society’s perceptions of her body type and others of her size, and how larger people are viewed in a world of Insta-models. The true take-away of this episode is a message of hope and body acceptance, and how someone’s size doesn’t make them less human -- no matter what that size is.
Monday Jun 24, 2024
Voices Unheard S1E2 - Biawanna (Ash Weis)
Monday Jun 24, 2024
Monday Jun 24, 2024
Content Rating: Parental guidance is suggested for the designated age range (7-13 yrs); some material may not be suitable for all children due to coarse language. Host: Jessica SamuelsGuest: Ashley WeisSeason 1 - Episode: 02
Ashley Weis (she/they/them), who performs as Biawanna, joins Jessica Samuels for Episode 2. Ash/Biawanna identifies as queer/non-binary and is a proud WOC (Woman of Colour) Indigeneous Fijian/Soloman. They are a dynamic singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer who’s worked on multiple projects in different genres since they found their start at the age of seven. Their blend of indie-pop, RNB & dance-pop creates an energy that’s equal parts smart, sexy, and fierce. They channel a certain strength through their namesake, Biawanna, matriarch of the Solomon Islands, who gave birth to a long line of chiefs that they are a descendent of. Biawanna is currently getting ready to release their debut EP, ‘Care’, which should be expected soon. They also appear on Unicorns.LIVE’s QUSIC as musical guest on Wednesday, July 22, 2020.
Monday Jun 24, 2024
Voices Unheard S1E1 - Dustin Dufault
Monday Jun 24, 2024
Monday Jun 24, 2024
Content Rating: Parental guidance is suggested for the designated age range (7-13 yrs); some material may not be suitable for all children due to coarse language. Host: Jessica SamuelsGuest: Dustin DufaultSeason 1 - Episode: 01
Kelowna's Dustin Dufault joins Jessica Samuels for the first episode. Dustin originally hails from the Kaska First Nation in northern British Columbia and southeastern Yukon but has lived in Kelowna for over 10 years now. Dustin “shares his experience of being an indigenous, two-spirit drag artist and finding his way in the world.
Saturday Apr 27, 2024
Voices Unheard Promo Clip
Saturday Apr 27, 2024
Saturday Apr 27, 2024
Voices Unheard was originally produced by Unicorns.LIVE in partnership with Kelowna Pride Society back in 2020. The intent of this series is to bring awareness to underrepresented members of society, which includes people of various racial backgrounds, sexuality, gender identity/expression, age, or ability. Host Jessica Samuels will engage a different guest each week in a candid conversation about the challenges they have faced or continue to struggle with, elevating their voice and helping them to tell their stories.
Stay tuned as a new season is in the works for Voices Unheard in late 2024.