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A Restful Development

Natalie Kollar and Candice Fraser

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If it's time to switch off the brain and finally get some much needed sleep, Natalie and Candice are here to help! Each fortnight we drop some truth bombs on how to switch off the brain and gear up for sleep, PLUS we guide you on full length meditations that will lull you to sleep in no time at all.
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Defender Radio and The Switch

Michael Howie / The Fur-Bearers

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Defender Radio and The Switch bring experts and solutions to wildlife advocates and animal lovers around the world. Hosted by award-winning journalist Michael Howie, Defender Radio and The Switch are produced by The Fur-Bearers (TheFurBearers.com) and released weekly. Learn more at DefenderRadio.com
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I believe being medically inclined could aid us within the medical field searching for a way to better quality of life and balance in the challenges we face in the healthcare system. This includes, but is not restricted to, steps that need to be taken on the road to self understanding and what may be the best fit for you in the fields of practice. Being able to walk the journey with a little more clarity and ease is something worth pursuing.
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Making an emotional connection to a non-human animal is a defining moment in many peoples’ lives. It could be the family dog, a squirrel who hops past a window every day, or a black bear known to meander through a local forest. It’s that connection that can help people understand the depth of non-human animal emotion and make changes in how they vi…
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Investigations into farms by animal advocacy groups is an essential tool to exposing serious, systemic abuses of animals, failures to follow basic policy, and have led to criminal charges. But the Ontario government wanted to stop that – and introduced Bill 156 in 2020. The Bill, Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, was challenged…
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A concrete laden Barton Street runs the distance of lower Hamilton, marking the transition from residential housing to commercial and industrial spaces – what many people think of when they hear Steel City. But along this busy street something magical is happening: swatches of concrete are vanishing, to be replaced by naturalized gardens. Flowers, …
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If you don’t already have passes to Humane Canada’s Summit for Animals May 5 to 7 in Halifax, you’re going to miss out on an awful lot! The annual event is organized by Humane Canada, the national federation of humane societies and SPCAs, and presenting sponsor PetSmart Charities of Canada. The Summit for Animals brings together people who work on …
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Simone Diamond is a Coast Salish artist who creates art pieces in the Coast Salish style. You may have seen Simone’s designs featured on products from companies like Native Northwest, on her popular Instagram account, or in The Fur-Bearers’ kids activity book. Simone joins Defender Radio to talk about how spirituality is infused with her art, the i…
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Improving the lives of dogs across Canada and around the world is a hefty goal – but by talking about the lives of wild dogs, Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin is getting closer to reaching that goal every day. Dr. Fraser-Celin, who has worked with African wild dogs, dogs in Indigenous communities in Canada, and identifying how a one-health approach makes an …
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It’s grey, generally cold, damp, and rather unpleasant in early February across Canada. Fortunately, it’s a great time of year to get outside and start planting! Now, I know I’m out on a bit of a limb here, but late winter and early spring are actually ideal for sowing many vital, native plant species across Canada. To tie this into how it helps wi…
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Killing neck snares are cruel devices that experts and scientists have shown to be ineffective and inhumane. Yet they remain common across Canada. A new documentary series, Trapped In The Past, is challenging why killing neck snares remain legal to use, what impact they have on wildlife, and how a lack of updated regulations puts wildlife, people, …
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Eating a plant-based diet is a great way to be healthy and reduce your impact on the environment and climate crisis. Making the change can be intimidating, especially if, like me, you grew up on meat and potatoes. Fortunately, folks like Candice Hutchings are making it easier than ever to eat plant-based. Known by her millions of online followers a…
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Are you an active gardener looking for ways to reduce your impact on the local environment? Rain barrels are a great, accessible place to start! Join me for a quick conversation about the known - and perhaps less known - benefits of using rain barrels around your home. Have you had success with rain barrels, or created an innovative solution? Let m…
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Beavers are incredible animals who have complex social lives, engineer essential ecosystems, and can help us develop climate resilience. In Canada, beavers were nearly wiped out by fur trappers, but their populations slowly returned, though not to their pre-colonization levels. But in Britain, European beavers haven’t had the opportunity to return …
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Gift giving is wonderful and generous, but around the holidays can generate a lot of waste. Dr. Elisabeth Ormandy (TEDx speaker, UBC Professor and zero waste enthusiast) is making The Switch to zero waste gift giving! These tips can make a big impact on local waste during the holiday season, and we’d love to hear from you! Tag @howiemichael on Inst…
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Tigers are at risk of extinction around the globe. But in India, hard fought conservation has seen the population double since 2006. While this is fantastic news, it does create new challenges to face: such as how to manage poachers, and negative encounters between tigers and animals kept as livestock, and the people who live in the tigers’ range. …
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Some days are hard. The world feels like it’s falling apart, forests are burning, ecosystems are breaking down, and hope can be a long, long way away. But you’re not alone in this feeling – and there are ways to manage and cope that not only support you but can make for a healthier community and planet. Climate Grief, From Coping to Resilience and …
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Giving Tuesday is a huge opportunity for non-profits and charities across the country to raise desperately needed funds to keep campaigns going. But Canadians are giving less overall to charities – and that means Giving Tuesday is even more important. Hear more about how only a few dollars or a share can make impact for people, wildlife, and the en…
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Wolves are iconic, majestic and absolutely essential apex predators. But what do Canadians think about wolves? That was the primary question driving a survey developed by Drs. Valli-Laurente Fraser-Celin and Stephanie Rutherford in conjunction with The Fur-Bearers earlier this year. The final report, titled, The Social Landscape of Wolves in Canada…
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Political leaders from across the spectrum have debated the taxation and cost of home heating in Canada recently; while noses are thumbed back and forth, there’s a couple easy steps we can all take in our homes to reduce our energy usage as we enter the chilly season. Let's talk about drafts and how to reduce them without breaking the bank! SHOW NO…
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Any time spent watching chimpanzees is valuable; they show tool use, complex social structures and behaviours, and, according to the latest science, are often quite adorable. It’s no surprise that humans are fascinated by chimpanzees, as we share 98.8 percent of our DNA with them. But how humans treat chimpanzees isn’t always positive. Chimps are s…
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Wildlife rehabilitators are incredible people: they dedicate their time, personal or professional, to assisting wild animals who are injured or orphaned. It takes a lot to successfully navigate the provincial bureaucracies, fundraising, administration, and volunteer wrangling – let alone actually caring for the animals. I regularly stand in awe of …
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Join us in this riveting episode as we sit down with Dr. Santa-Marie Venter, an Orthopaedic Surgeon who traded in her MMA gloves for a surgeon's scalpel! Prepare to be inspired as we dive into the extraordinary life of this warrior of a healer healer. Dr. Venter shares her incredible journey, from the adrenaline-pumping world of professional MMA fi…
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Beavers are an essential animal to the North American landscape. They create and maintain wetlands that are home to at-risk and endangered species; they clean runoff from agricultural lands; they sequester carbon; they improve habitat for salmon and other fish species; and they even help mitigate wildfires. Sadly, beavers are trapped and killed acr…
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We spend our lives with dogs, sharing joy, sorrow, companionship, and often surprisingly deep friendships. But often, we can be perplexed by our best friends’ behaviours, or make assumptions about why they’re barking, rolling over, or refusing to let you have the ball after demanding that you throw it for them. For those who want to learn more abou…
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In this episode, our guest, Dr. Candice Hendricks, a Paediatric Haematologist, takes us on an exciting journey into the world of stem cell therapy, discussing its applications and breakthroughs in paediatric medicine. We'll learn what makes paediatric haematology such a fascinating and critical field, and why understanding immunity is like having a…
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Todays guest is Dr. André Graca, a registered Chiropractor practicing out of Pure Symmetry Health Centres. Dr Graca is not only aiding by helping us break the dreaded Pod-fade silence experienced over the past few months, but helps break down the steps that need to be taken for anyone interested in becoming a Chiro. He expands on how to ensure good…
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Todays guest is Dr. BB Phetla, the founder of Doctorpreneur, a platform that mentors doctors wanting to transition into private practice in healthcare. Dr Phetla has had over 13 years of private practice experience and completed a Masters in business administration (MBA) to solidify her natural inclination for entrepreneurship. In this episode we d…
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Todays guest is Dr. Marcel Jooste, a Sports and Exercise physician based in SEMLI. Dr. Jooste is currently completing he’s PhD while also ensuring he keeps to his responsibilities as the Squad Physician of the South African Rowing team. In this episode we dive deeper into the specialization of Sports and Exercise and how it has developed into the s…
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Todays guest is Dr Juan Janse van Nieuwenhuizen, a Clinical Neurophysiologist specializing in sleep medicine. He is no stranger to self improvement for the betterment of the patient. Alongside his PhD in Neurophysiology, he has also completed a BTech in Clinical Neurophysiology, enabling him to practice as a Neurophysiologist at his practice. When …
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Welcome to the first episode of 2023! Our discussion today is about life as a Trauma Surgeon, and how your purpose often comes in unexpected ways through life experience. Our guest on todays episode is Professor George Oosthuizen. Prof Oosthuizen is a registered Trauma Surgeon and Chief Specialist in Surgery at Ngwelezana Hospital in KwaZulu Natal,…
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This is a repost from last year's popular Defender Radio Solstice Special! The Squirrel Who Stole Solstice was written and directed by Marisa King. Starring Kristi Boulton, Marisa King and Michael Howie. Original holiday carol by Julian Sark. The Squirrel Who Stole Solstice was written and Directed by Marisa King! Marisa voiced Nutty! Marisa King i…
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Our discussion today is about the pursuit of medicine; the normalisation of taking a route less travelled into the field. Hannah Geddie is a 1st year Med student at the University of Stellenbosch, and the Co-Founder of the Doctors_Eventually page on instagram. Their aim is to encourage students who have taken a different path into medicine, and to …
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Ethical skincare expert Tricia Stevens of batch skincare joined The Switch to share tips on how to identify ethical and sustainable ingredients and products while choosing skincare and beauty products. batch skincare, launched by industry experts with decades of experience, also prioritizes kindness, effectiveness, progress, fairness and giving bac…
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We continue the story of Dr. Simon Fraser, a 1st-year medical practitioner Intern at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg. Part 2 puts emphasis on constant growth and the importance of being willing to learn. As an Intern it's vital to put aside fear of the unknown and ensure that you are constantly eager to practice procedures un…
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My guest this episode is Dr. Simon Fraser, a 1st-year medical practitioner intern at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg. In part 1 he explains the importance of people on our journey as medical professionals and how we rely on those close to us. His story shows us that we are never too late to pursue our dreams and that taking t…
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Solutions to the climate crisis are multifaceted and require innovative thinking. It also means the way we’ve been doing things, particularly with development, need to change. Imagine the vast array of asphalt, concrete, tar shingles, and metals that cover cities; they don’t absorb water, and they retain heat – the opposite of what is desperately n…
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Fairtrade is a recognized sustainability term worldwide. Did you know that fairtrade practices are also applied in fashion? Kemp Edwards, sustainable business expert, President & CEO at Econic Apparel and Ethical Profiling, and Principal at Vert2Grow, joins The Switch to share how people can make a difference in the world through how they buy cloth…
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It’s a common saying, that animals have no voice. But they do – they can be quite proficient at communicating their needs. It’s more that humans have forgotten how to listen. This is a reality Ellie Lamb, bear viewing guide and educator, encounters often in her work. Black bears are found across Canada, but one of their largest populations exists w…
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Two fur farms in Quebec are at the centre of a complaint filed by Animal Justice after they received images from We Animals Media. The photos, captured in August 2022, show deplorable conditions for mink and foxes. The Montreal SPCA has initiated a call for a ban on fur farming in Quebec and are setting up inherently inhumane fur farms as an electi…
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Second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) are being banned in jurisdictions around the world due to the harm they cause ecosystems and individual animals. Fortunately, rodent proofing your home or business is a humane solution that's also great for the environment! Erin Ryan, a wild animal welfare specialist for the BC SPCA shares simple…
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Farmed animal sanctuaries are a place of healing and hope. But the creation and management of a farmed animal sanctuary can be an overwhelming process with lives at stake. Sarien and Hugo Slabbert in 2019 started the charitable People Ensuring Animal Care Exists, or P.E.A.C.E., to provide vital resources in Western Canada. P.E.A.C.E. provides rescu…
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Rewilding the world is an important step in combating climate change; recreating ecosystems and habitat can’t happen soon enough. Fortunately, a lot of solutions are already available – including the Miyawaki Method of using mini-forests to reforest the world. Mini-Forest Revolution: Using the Miyawaki Method to Rapidly Rewild The World was release…
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Large wildlife such as bears and coyotes are often killed for being around human places and accessing anthropogenic food sources. But simple educational tools to let communities know how to coexist with wildlife exist - and are accessible for free by anyone in Canada. Aaron Hofman, Director of Advocacy and Policy at The Fur-Bearers, joins The Switc…
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Content/Trigger Warning: This episode discusses subjects of burnout, self-care, self-harm, suicide, and mental health. I recently connected with Stephanie McMahon, a registered psychotherapist in Ontario, who happens to also be a wildlife rehabilitation centre volunteer, to talk about what burnout is and how it impacts individuals, what clearing sp…
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If a tool existed that would reduce negative encounters with wildlife in your municipality, would you implement it? I think most listeners would – and a toolkit is now available that can actively help residents do just that. The Wildlife Attractant By-law Toolkit was developed by Serratus Wildlife Services for the Get Bear Smart Society. It's a com…
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Green lawns and pavement do little to help the ecosystem, but finding ways to incorporate essential meadows in urban centres can make a significant impact. Dr. Anna Zakrisson, a green infrastructure researcher and science communicator, joins The Switch to give a quick rundown on urban meadows, how we can reboot natural processes, and why green lawn…
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Rodents – mice, rats, squirrels and the like – are found all across Canada. At some point, pretty much every homeowner or building owner will be confronted by two little eyes and a twitchy nose, and need a solution. For a long time, rodenticides – poisons targeting rodents – have been the norm. But the issues relating to welfare of animals and seco…
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This is a repost of a past episode. New episodes will be streaming by June 2022! The illegal wildlife trade is significantly broader and includes far more species than most people think; and Canada is seemingly playing a role. Dr. Chris Shepherd, Executive Director of Monitor Conservation Research Society, is working hard to research and expose the…
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It’s the beginning of spring and the end of the eighth season of Defender Radio! As The Fur-Bearers’ fiscal year rolls over, my attentions are needed in strategic planning and communication work. For a few weeks, I’ll be sharing some of my favourite episodes from seasons past, and starting to book a massive wave of recording for season nine! Defend…
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Humane Canada’s Summit for Animals is approaching, and it’s sounding like it’s going to be their best yet. The annual conference is going to include in-person events in Banff, Alberta in conjunction with a broad variety of online presentations. Formerly the National Animal Welfare Conference, the Summit for Animals is reaching well beyond Humane Ca…
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Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Liberal MP for Beaches-East York, in February introduced Private Members Bill C-247, An Act to prohibit fur farming. This Act, if passed through the House of Commons and Senate, would end commercial fur farming in Canada at the federal level. MP Erskine-Smith joined Defender Radio to discuss the bill, how private members bi…
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You can save the lives of birds and keep your local ecosystem healthy by making a simple switch with the easy solutions suggested by Anouk Hoedeman of Safe Wings Ottawa. Links: Safe Wings Ottawa at http://safewings.ca/ Safe Wings Ottawa on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SafeWings/ Safe Wings Ottawa on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/safewing…
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