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/

Today, we’re diving into a topic that doesn’t get talked about enough at TMU; the trades sector. Is university a worthy investment of your time and money, or is it worth considering going into a trade instead? And more importantly, which path will guarantee you employment after graduation? In a city where finding a job is becoming an increasing challenge, are the trades a better choice? Have the stereotypes about working as a plumber, or a hairdresser or anyone in the trades changed enough? We try to answer those questions in this episode of the OTR podcast by talking to Patrick Rooney, an electrician and professor of skilled trades at George Brown College and Ashley Hind, a Toronto hairstylist.

This episode was produced by Claire Dufourd, Olga Bergmans, and Dima Mironov, and features theme music by Almost Barely called “Letting Go”.

Hosts: Olga Bergmans & Claire Dufourd
Streeter producer: Claire Dufourd
Episode producer: Dima Mironov

Theme music by Almost Barely.
Main image of the feet in a hammock from Heiko Ruth on Pexels
https://www.pexels.com/photo/plumber-repairing-power-source-7859953/

From catching up on Z’s to staying on top of course work, reading week means something different to each student around campus. In this week’s podcast on OTR, our hosts Abbie North and S Saadeq Ahmed are looking into whether a reading week is really a time for students to unwind and relax. Featuring interviews from University of Toronto psychiatry professor Roger McIntyre, and Jade Cruz, a First-Year Academic Services and Success Facilitator for engineering students, we’ve got multiple viewpoints for this week’s episode. Various TMU community members can also be heard giving us their opinions. Make sure you turn in to learn more!

Hosts: S. Saadeq Ahmed & Abbie North
Streeter producer: Matt Katzman
Episode producer: Joshua Joseph

Theme music by Almost Barely.
Main image of the feet in a hammock from Mateusz Dach on Pexels
https://www.pexels.com/photo/pair-of-red-and-white-low-top-sneakers-914929/