People First Radio
Vancouver Island Mental Health Society
Show overview
People First Radio has been publishing since 2022, and across the 4 years since has built a catalogue of 369 episodes. That works out to roughly 180 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a several-times-a-week cadence.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 20 min and 34 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. It is catalogued as a EN-US-language Health & Fitness show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 4 days ago, with 34 episodes already out so far this year. Published by Vancouver Island Mental Health Society.
From the publisher
People First Radio is a weekly one-hour radio broadcast to educate and raise awareness about issues related to health and wellness — with a particular emphasis on topics related to mental illness and mental health, homelessness and housing, and addiction, harm reduction and recovery.
Latest Episodes
View all 369 episodes“We can’t solve our housing crisis until we solve our crisis of home,” argues author
Researchers call for more inclusive focus aids
The Bylaw State explores public space, encampments, municipalities, and the courts
Talking boredom, substance use, and homelessness
New building addition — and new name for Salvation Army Centre of Hope in Nanaimo
Former gang member shares story with Nanaimo youth
Vancouver Island radio play warns of elder financial abuse
Exploring the history of a Saskatchewan mental hospital
Retired judge turned busker shares stories from cross Canada tour
“Street Dr. Jill” talks influencing on homelessness and healthcare
Nanaimo supportive housing site celebrates 10 years
Crafting a high school curriculum on homelessness
Unpacking 10 years of a public health emergency
VIU researcher looking at intersection between local government and overlapping crises
“Finding a passion…really can save your life” – autobiographical Boy Player hits the stage in Nanaimo
Nurse, UVic PhD student looking at chronic pain and sexuality
Drug user group co-hosting its first author talk in Nanaimo
Ann Livingston has spent decades helping drug user groups organize. In the 1990s, she helped co-found the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, and is currently working with the Nanaimo Area Network of Drug Users (NANDU). “ A drug user group in the simplest mission statement is to improve the lives of people who have not […]
Mountain Muscox providing support for people who’ve experienced trauma in the backcountry
Lexie Morgan is a registered clinical counsellor. She does work with the Sea to Sky chapter of a group called Mountain Muscox, which offers support to people who have experienced trauma or loss in the mountains. She spoke with People First Radio about the group and her work. When someone had experienced a traumatic event, […]
“We’re all working hard, I’d like people to know” – Rethinking Drinking panelist shares story
Writer Jordan Kawchuk is preparing to speak as a lived experience speaker at a Nanaimo Foundation event called Rethinking Drinking. “My lived experience is that I’ve been to treatment many times and I wrestle with alcohol use disorder,” he said. “I hope to that the community can see that alcohol use disorder is a disease. […]
Checking the levels on music industry mental health
Independent musicians from around coastal B.C. speak about mental health in the industry, following on the heels of a report from music industry leadership consultancy Revelios that identified significant challenges faced by Canadians working in music. The episode features Revelios president and founder Catherine Harrison, as well as musicians Jeff Cancade AKA Devours, NEAVV, and […]