This semester’s podcast focuses on municipal politics in the GTA because our next election is coming up on October 26th, 2026.

Today’s big question is: Cities vote on big thematic issues like transit, traffic, housing and the police services – what should voters know heading into the fall election in terms of these big-ticket issues?

This episode OTR dives into the 18.9 billion dollar pot of gold that runs Toronto. We strip back the municipal campaign posters to look at why the TTC is frozen, why the traffic is stagnant, and where that record-breaking police budget is actually going. This is the reality check every voter needs before hitting the polls this October.

We interviewed Rakesh Mehta, a housing expert and real estate agent in Toronto.

This episode was hosted by Anish Dhupar & Julia Petrucci and produced by Yoons Park and Manroop Aulakh. The theme for this podcast is by Almost Barely and is called “Letting Go.”

Hosts: Anish Dhupar & Julia Petrucci
Episode producers: Yoons Park and Manroop Aulakh

Theme music by Almost Barely.

Illustration of a podcast host from https://www.freepik.com/icon/podcaster_9358715

This semester’s podcast focuses on municipal politics in the GTA because our next election is coming up on October 26th, 2026.

Today’s big question is: Toronto has made promises to meet NetZero targets, is the city meeting them?

This episode breaks down the city’s TransformTO strategy, key emission targets, and where progress falls short. We also look at who is responsible for climate action at the municipal level and how decisions are made at city hall. Additionally, we explore what Torontonians know and think about the city’s climate promises ahead of the upcoming election.

We interviewed Lyn Adamson from ClimateFast and Prof. John Robinson (a member of the Toronto climate advisory group) this week, and the streeters were recorded on campus at TMU. This episode was hosted by Miguel Mabalay & Julia Sawicki, and produced by Semi Won and Sia Shete. The sound effects are from Pixabay, and we’re using them under their Creative Commons licenses (listed and linked to below). The theme for this podcast is by Almost Barely and is called “Letting Go.”

Hosts: Miguel Mabalay & Julia Sawicki
Episode producers: Semi Won and Sia Shete

Theme music by Almost Barely.
Toronto subway https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/city-toronto-subway-001-54603

Bike bell https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/film-special-effects-bike-bell-173588/

Crowd noise https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/people-crowd-noise-284490/

Apple pay https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/technology-apple-pay-success-sound-effect-481188/

Cash register https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/film-special-effects-cash-register-kaching-376867/

Woosh https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/film-special-effects-quick-whoosh-405448/

This semester’s podcast focuses on municipal politics in the GTA because our next election is coming up on October 26th, 2026.

Today’s big question is: How can a resident influence city politics?

To answer this, we interviewed Saman Tabasinejad, Executive Director at Progress Toronto, and Matt Elliot, a freelance City Hall reporter. The streeters were provided by community members on campus here at TMU. The clip at 5:30 is from Toronto City Council on YouTube, the clip at 6:48 is from Toronto Transit Commission on YouTube and the clip at 8:37 is from the National Post on YouTube.

Hosts: Jaden Whitelaw & Anish Dhupar
Episode producers: Gabriel Hilty & Mia Di Panfilo

Theme music by Almost Barely.

This semester’s podcast focuses on municipal politics in the GTA because our next election is coming up on October 26th, 2026.

Today’s big question is: How does power work at the municipal level? To answer this, we did a bunch of our own research and spoke to TMU students as well as Toronto-St. Paul’s Councillor JOSH MATLOW and Toronto Centre’s Councillor CHRIS MOISE.

Hosts: Aisha Shabeese & Moyo Lawuyi
Episode producer: Yousuf Zaidi

Theme music by Almost Barely.

In the final episode of OTR for the semester, hosts Hssena Arjmand and Wyatt Gilliland tackle a topic many students and recent grads can relate to: life after university and the complex feelings around entering the workforce. Titled “But I Don’t Want to Work!” This episode dives into the spectrum of attitudes toward the traditional 9-to-5 lifestyle, from embracing it to rejecting it altogether.

Featuring interviews with Chirag Luthra, a hiring manager at the DMZ, who offers a glimpse into how young professionals are redefining work, and Wincy Li, Associate Director of Career Education at TMU, who sheds light on the pressures students face in pursuing financial stability—or opting to pivot and return to school. Produced by Tomi Raji and Celina Chugani, with theme music by Almost Barely, this episode captures a well-rounded look at the post-graduation journey. Don’t miss it!

Hosts: Wyatt Gilliland & Hssena Arjmand
Streeter producer: Tomi Joseph-Raji
Episode producer: Celina Chugani

Theme music by Almost Barely.
Photo courtesy CottonBro on Pexels, https://www.pexels.com/@cottonbro/

In this week’s episode, hosts Adriana Fallico and Laviza Syed dive into the critical topic of accessibility and accommodation support available to TMU students. From navigating mental health challenges to advocating for disability rights, we explore the resources that aim to make campus life more inclusive for everyone. Featuring insightful interviews with Stephanie Evans, a Memorial University graduate in social work passionate about mental health and disability advocacy, and Dr. Idil Abdillahi, an Assistant Professor in TMU’s School of Disability Studies, this episode unpacks the current landscape of accessibility at TMU. Plus, hear directly from TMU community members as they share their stories and perspectives.

This episode was produced by Laviza Syed, Adriana Fallico, Mehmet Oner and Tomi Joseph-Raji and features theme music by Almost Barely called “Letting Go”.

Hosts: Laviza Syed & Adrianna Fallico
Streeter producer: Tomi Joseph-Raji
Episode producer: Mehmet Oner

Theme music by Almost Barely.

It’s no secret, finding a place to live in the GTA is no easy feat. Juggling housing costs and commuter times is not for the faint of heart, yet TMU students do it every day. This week, On The Record is exploring an issue near and dear to TMU students’ hearts: where – and how – can we possibly afford to live here? To give us some valuable context and help answer our questions, we’ve enlisted three expert voices on this week’s episode: TMU Data Science and Real Estate Management professor Murtaza Haider, House Canada spokesperson Nathi Zamisa, and acting manager at City of Toronto housing secretariat Sara Korosi. The Academic Housing Strategy is still in the works, and a survey is open for GTA students who want to have their voices heard.

This episode was produced by Emily Zhang, Kinza Zafar, Sena Law and Sierra Edwards and features theme music by Almost Barely called “Letting Go”.

Hosts: Emily Zhang & Sena Law
Streeter producer: Sierra Edwards
Episode producer: Kinza Zafar

Theme music by Almost Barely.
Main image of a view of the Toronto skyline from inside a room by Justine Lauzon on Pexels
https://www.pexels.com/photo/view-of-cn-tower-from-hotel-window-during-sunset-14624058/

C’s might get degrees, but is doing the bare minimum to graduate a smart decision for your future career? Join Bashair Ali and Nicole Lim in this episode of the On The Record podcast as they investigate the wins and woes of “quiet quitting” at the academic level. With insights from TMU alumn Lily Roberti and Costa Ploumis, a Recruitment Manager. We asked them if the “just enough” mentality has an impact on career prospects, skill development, and job satisfaction.

This episode was hosted by Bashair Ali & Nicole Lim, and produced by Kiera Osborne and Wyatt Gilliland. The theme music for this episode is by Almost Barely and is called “Letting Go.” We interviewed Lily Roberti and Costa Ploumis this week, and the streeters were provided by the rest of the newsroom at OTR.

Hosts: Nicole Lim & Bashair Ali
Streeter producer: Kiera Osborne
Episode producer: Wyatt Gilliland

Theme music by Almost Barely.
Main image of a person in bed with a phone from Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels
https://www.pexels.com/photo/lazy-asian-woman-using-smartphone-in-bed-4473626/