
Listen now to S2, E3 - Feeding the world without costing the Earth with Nazim Cicek
Episodes
Subscribe to the series and watch for a new episode each month.
Menopause, menstruation and the weaponization of women's health with Dr. Jen Gunter: S2, Episode 1
This episode features guest host, UM Chancellor, Anne Mahon in conversation with Dr. Jen Gunter, talking about misinformation in women’s health, despite the fact accurate information is readily available. In 2023, women’s health is still being weaponized for profit.
Dr. Jen Gunter is a UM alum and New York Times best-selling author of the Vagina Bible and the Menopause Manifesto. As a board certified OB/GYN in both Canada and the United States, she is a candid advocate for women and science.
Climbing the mountain of Reconciliation with Niigaan Sinclair: S2, Episode 2
Listen in to President Benarroch and special guest Dr. Sinclair as they unpack "the big idea" that we are all deeply invested in Reconciliation, whether we recognize it or not.
Feeding the world without costing the Earth with Associate Dean (Research), Nazim Cicek: Season 2, Episode 3
Tune in to UM researcher, Nazim Cicek talking about how agriculture practices are connected to the health of the entire planet and how UM research is advancing agriculture to produce food that can both nourish and sustain our world.
Upcoming episodes
Coming December 2023
How leaders can remain relevant in the changing global context with Suzanne Gagnon: Season 2, Episode 4
As the inaugural Director of the James W. Burns Leadership Institute, an Associate Professor in Leadership and Organization, and the Canada Life Chair in Leadership Education at the Asper School Business, Gagnon’s big idea is that leaders need to lead from the outside in – that you cannot lead effectively in today’s world without knowing you are embedded in a deeply interconnected, global system.
Coming Jan. 11, 2024
In Conversation with Dr. Joss Reimer
Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, 6:30 p.m.
Schultz Theatre, St. John’s College
Join UM President, Michael Benarroch in conversation with UM alum and Chief Medical Officer for Winnipeg, Dr. Joss Reimer [MD/08, MPH/13]. Mark your calendar for January 11, 2024, and register to join us for this in-person conversation!
Dr. Reimer will share how you can have a significant mental illness that would be debilitating at one point, and you can still flourish in your personal life and career. She has been on medication for depression for most of her adult life and will speak to the realities of mental health through the lens of both her personal and professional experience.
Voted Humanitarian of the Year by Doctors Manitoba, Dr. Reimer is an expert in physician wellness, infectious diseases, cannabis, health equity, public health and so much more. As Medical Lead for Manitoba’s Provincial COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, Dr. Reimer led the most successful vaccine campaign in provincial history. Prior to the pandemic, she developed and directed UM’s 4-year Population Health course. She also maintains a clinical practice in Women’s health where you might find her catching babies in the middle of the night.
Episode archive
Season 1
Episode 01: Cosmology and Beyond with Dr. James Peebles
The first episode in this podcast series features President Benarroch in conversation with leading astrophysicist, Nobel Laureate and the Albert Einstein Professor Emeritus at Princeton, Dr. James Peebles [BSc(Hons)/58, DSc/89].
Together, they'll unpack some of Dr. Peebles's groundbreaking work that has been vital to our understanding of the universe, including topics like the Big Bang Theory and dark matter. We'll also hear from a UM student and aspiring astrophysicist, and hear Dr. Peebles take questions from our live audience.
Bonus content: Watch a behind the scenes sneak peek of Episode 01.
Episode 02: Anti-Racism in Medical Education with Dr. Marcia Anderson
This episode features President Michael Benarroch in conversation with vice-dean of Indigenous health, social justice and anti-racism at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, and Doctors Manitoba 2022 “Physician of the Year” Dr. Marcia Anderson [MD/02].
Together, they’ll discuss how the University of Manitoba can further ground medical education in anti-racist practices and provide greater health equity for Canada’s Indigenous, Black and racialized communities.
Episode 03: Cultivating Deep Inclusion with Queer Education Researcher Dr. Robert Mizzi
This episode features President Michael Benarroch in conversation with Canada Research Chair in Queer, Community, and Diversity Education and associate professor in the Faculty of Education, Dr. Robert Mizzi. Together, they’ll discuss Dr. Mizzi’s ideas around “deep inclusion,” and how the University of Manitoba can continue to make strides in diversity, equity and inclusion.
Episode 04: Creating a Home for Survivors’ Stories with NCTR director Stephanie Scott
This episode features President Michael Benarroch in conversation with executive director of the National Center for Truth and Reconciliation, Stephanie Scott. Together they discuss the lasting effects of Canada’s residential school system and the forced separation of Indigenous families. They explore how we as a university can help heal these wounds and plot a path forward to true Reconciliation.
Episode 05: How Canada Can Become a Global Public Health Leader with Dr. James Blanchard
This episode features President Michael Benarroch in conversation with executive director of the Institute for Global Public Health Dr. James Blanchard. Together they’ll discuss how the University of Manitoba can be at the center of engaging the academic sector in global public health and how Canada can become a world leader in this field.
Episode 06: Understanding Indigenous Self-Determination and Water Rights with Dr. Nicole Wilson
This episode features President Michael Benarroch in conversation with Indigenous peoples' water rights researcher Dr. Nicole Wilson. Together they’ll discuss how Canada can better understand, govern and enhance Indigenous self-determination over water rights.
Episode 07: Why Guaranteed Income is Affordable, Effective and Just with Economist Evelyn Forget
This episode features President Michael Benarroch in conversation with economist and academic director of Manitoba Research Data Centre Evelyn Forget. Together they’ll discuss how a basic income guarantee is not only possible and affordable, but an effective and just way to reduce poverty in Canada.
Where to find "What's the big idea?"

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