Here’s a selection of my published articles.
CBC
‘A place for you’: Why chosen family can be a lifesaver for LGBTQ people over the holidays
While chosen family doesn’t exist only in LGBTQ communities, the concept has particular significance for gay and transgender people. Despite greater acceptance, some LGBTQ folks face familial rejection and search for love and support in friends.
The last U.S. Blockbuster thrives on great customer service — and floppy disks
The Bend, Ore., location became the last Blockbuster standing when 2 stores in Alaska closed. From CBC Radio’s As It Happens.
Why a rock singer and doctor abandoned — then reclaimed — their first careers
In the mid-1990s, all Chris Archibald wanted to do was rock out. He played in a band and pursued his dream, but fame and fortune didn’t follow. So he found a government job. From CBC Radio’s Cross Country Checkup.
‘Not again’: Son of Quebec mosque shooting victim calls for gun reform after Toronto deaths
Amir Belkacemi, whose father Khaled was killed by Alexandre Bissonnette in 2017, tells Checkup a handgun ban won’t end gun violence, but it could help. From CBC Radio’s Cross Country Checkup.
Former NAFTA negotiator calls Trump’s ‘bluster’ on trade deals offensive
When Michael Wilson negotiated NAFTA 25 years ago, the most tense moment was leaving a baseball game early. He calls Trump’s divisive approach today on trade negotiations ‘dangerous.’ From CBC Radio’s Cross Country Checkup.
Metal fans mistaken for suicide cult ‘rescued’ by Scottish police
Blame it on the corpse paint. When David Henderson went camping with his friends and their kids, he didn’t expect to end surrounded by emergency vehicles. From CBC Radio’s As It Happens.
How the anti-vaccine lobby is influencing the Texas state primaries
Texans for Vaccine Choice has been called an anti-vaccine lobby group. They’ve fought for — and won — vaccine exemptions at the state legislature, and now, with the Governor’s backing, they have a major voice in Tuesday’s state primaries. From CBC Radio’s Day 6.
Notifications stress me out. How I cut them down to improve my well-being
How can we tame the bleep-bloop? I examined the effect that constant notifications have on our mental health an attention. From CBC Radio’s Spark.
Roombas, Kuri and Pepper, oh my! How we feel about our robots at home
Today’s robots are cute and expressive, but they’re shiny machines first and foremost. We take a look at what companies are doing to get them in your living room. From CBC Radio’s Day 6.
‘Loudly Crying Face’: Your cute emojis are spoiling social media for blind users
Accessibility consultant Sassy Outwater-Wright is fed-up with people using too many emojis in their Twitter user name. She makes the case for a more inclusive internet while keeping social media trendy with GIFs and emoticons. From CBC Radio’s Spark.
‘All of our team was in tears’: Video shows polar bear starving in the North
A video shows disturbing images of a starving polar bear, and the conservation group that filmed it believes climate change may be to blame. From CBC Radio’s As It Happens.
Cluttered polling location frustrates Nova Scotia voter who uses wheelchair
John Yorke says casting a ballot last week in New Glasgow was more difficult than it should have been. From CBC News Nova Scotia.