This Is Why

Addiction to drugs and alcohol afflicts an estimated one-fifth of Canadians, including Elliot Hudson, a former addictions counsellor. In this episode of This Is Why, Jane Gerster joins the show to discuss Elliot's life, his struggles with addiction and his struggles with the justice system. Contact: Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter Email us - thisiswhy@globalnews.ca Guest: Jane Gerster, national features report, Global News. Read her full story on Elliot's life.

Juneteenth is an unofficial national holiday in the United States for African Americans, coast to coast. But the events that followed their “second independence day” would go on to shape the Canadian Prairies. In this episode of This Is Why, we look at an important day for Black History Month and ask what Juneteenth has to do with Canadian history and why Canadians should know about the holiday celebrated in 46 states. Contact: Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter Email us - thisiswhy@globalnews.ca Guests: Alley Wilson, multimedia producer, Globalnews.ca David Este, professor, University of Calgary "We Are The Roots" documentary, created by David Este and Jenna Bailey

The Alberta government, led by Jason Kenney, vowed to fight a war of words to defend the province’s oil and gas industry. Dubbed the Canadian Energy Centre, the so-called energy war room has had a rocky first month, full of public gaffes.In this episode of This Is Why, we ask where the Canadian Energy Centre made their public mistakes and what they could have done differently. Contact: Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter Email us - thisiswhy@globalnews.ca Guests: Sean Mallen, communications specialist Max Fawcett, freeelance journalist and former editor of Alberta Oil magazine

Just before Christmas 1987, a young woman left 'Baby Mary' in a Calgary parking lot and walked away. Thirty years later, the same events played out in the same city. In this episode of This Is Why, we ask why someone would abandon a baby and whether an abandoned baby would want to be reunited with their birth parents. Contact: Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter Email us - thisiswhy@globalnews.ca Guests: Teanna Elliot a.k.a. "Baby Mary" Dr. Jessica Shaw, assistant professor, University of Calgary

Hockey is a game thousands of Canadians love to watch and play every day. But one hit in a 2012 beer league hockey game ended up costing one man $700,000 and the other man his way of life. In this episode of This Is Why, we ask why rec league hockey players across Canada should care about what happened in an Ontario courtroom, because what happens on the ice doesn't always stay on the ice. Contact: Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter Email us - thisiswhy@globalnews.ca Guests: Joseph Cescon, partner, McLeish Orlando LLP Lori Lopez, executive director, Canadian Adult Recreational Hockey Association

We live in a confusing world… so if you’ve ever stopped and asked yourself WHY something matters, we’re here to help. Every week Adam Toy and Dave McIvor will ask one big question and uncover the answer to help you truly understand what’s going on around you. They''l try to get to the bottom of the issue by chatting with experts, journalists and even folks directly involved. They may not have all the answers to climate change, world politics or the economy BUT you can join them on this weekly expedition as we get you some straight answers.

A quick announcement: We're taking a break this December. However, we'll still be releasing some great bonus content throughout the month.  Thanks for all your support and happy holidays!Niki & John Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

Gary Haupt, 69, said he was fired as the Cherry Lane Shopping Centre Santa Claus in Penticton, B.C., because of what mall management considered to be inappropriate photos he posted on social media. Gary joined Niki Reitmayer to give his side of the story... If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

Jon Hedican lost his son to fentanyl in 2017. Now, he would like the B.C. Coroner’s Service to change the way they labeled his son's death to reflect the new terminology. Also, we remember the life of Canadian musician John Mann.

Mental health, parenting, losing your hair...these are all aspects of cancer treatment we don't always talk enough about and this is why. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show.

This is why, 30 years later, the memories of the Berlin Wall are still strong for legendary music manager Bruce Allen who toured with Bryan Adams before, during, and after the monumental events of November 9, 1989. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show.

This is why memories of the 2010 Winter Olympic flames are still burning bright 10 years later. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

Inspired by tragedy, for the past five years, Stu Gershman has worked tirelessly to help end the stigma of depression that affects young people, particularly young athletes. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

This is why a man from Wolfville, Nova Scotia was inspired to write a song about his hometown. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

This is why First Nations and volunteers are feeding grizzly bears in rural British Columbia. Pictures of a mother bear and her cubs were snapped by a wildlife photographer that appeared to show the trio looking emaciated. It revealed to the general public what locals already knew - the bears were starving due to lack of salmon. Ernest Alfred from Swanson Island Fish Farm Occupation explains why.

Between 2001 and 2016, the mortality rate from causes linked to alcohol climbed 26 per cent for women, compared to just five per cent for men. While it’s not clear what’s behind the rise in women drinking, there’s a growing theory that alcohol jokingly packaged as "mummy juice" could be playing a role. On this week’s episode, Niki Reitmayer sits down with CJOB morning show co-host Lauren McNabb, who has been investigating the worrisome trend. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

On this week's episode, we examine the transition between high school and “the real world” — whether that’s college, university, the workforce or something completely different and explore the gaps in Canada’s education system. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

Canadians are continuing to help people in the Bahamas following the destruction of Hurricane Dorian. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

This is why a Canadian man went to extraordinary lengths to help a Bahamian family after Hurricane Dorian. If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

Climate change opinions have become intrinsic with our political beliefs. But are political agendas distracting us from a real crisis? If you enjoy the This is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show. Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca