This Is Why

Young, privileged, middle-class Canadian kids are joining gangs not because of poverty or as a means of survival... but just because they want to.  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

It's fair to say that the world of plant-based mock meat is expanding at a rapid pace, as consumers are choosing meat alternatives for ethical and environmental reasons. However, are faux-meats healthier than the real thing? 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

At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, B.C. RCMP Assistant Commissioner Kevin Hackett said that while officers will continue to investigate why murder suspects Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky may have murdered three people, it will be difficult to determine the motive. 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

The search is still ongoing for two BC teens charged with one murder and suspected in the deaths of two other people. But for how much longer will Bryer Schmegelsky and Kam Mcleod be able to stay on the run – if they’re still alive? Host Niki Reitmayer speaks with ‘Survivorman’ Les Stroud about what it takes to make it in the Canadian wilderness. 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

When a B.C. couple died, they left 93 per cent of their fortune to their two sons, leaving their four daughters to split the rest. So what happens when a loved one dies and you find out that you're not going to get your fair share? 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

When Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon at 10:56 p.m. EDT on July 20, 1969, hundreds of millions of people were either watching the event on TV or listening on the radio. It was the biggest exploration mission in recent history and is still one of mankind's greatest achievements. 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

The death of Frank Meza, the 70-year-old disqualified marathon runner was ruled a suicide as a result of blunt force traumatic injuries. It made headlines across all of North America this past week, but it's not the first time we've heard a story like this. Marathon cheaters have become an increasing problem for event organisers, but marathon investigator Derek Murphy is exposing the cheaters. Derek sat down with This is Why host Niki Reitmayer. 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

Radio producer Sara Hyde, activist Quinn Peters, and human rights activist Morgane Oger join Niki Reitmayer to discuss where the LGBTQ2 community is in 2019. 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

Niki is on vacation this week, so we thought that we would revisit an episode from earlier this year. There will be a new episode next week! Last year, Global News reporter Farah Nasser spoke with prominent Canadians about their experiences with discrimination. They spoke candidly about names they’ve been called to shed light on the lasting impacts. What can be done to help future generations and how can we be proactive when we witness hate speech? 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

Radio producer Sara Hyde, activist Quinn Peters, and human rights activist Morgane Oger join Niki Reitmayer to discuss where the LGBTQ2 community is in 2019. 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

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday a ban on single-use plastics to come into effect as early as 2021 in Canada with a list put together grounded in scientific evidence, closely mirroring actions by the European Union, adding that the responsibility will fall on the plastic industry for the appropriate recycling. But is the ban realistic and how will this affect businesses, airlines, hospitals and more? 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

When you think of Canadian achievement in World War Two You think of the events of that took place on June 6th 1944, D-Day. 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 episode, a Canadian mountain climber shares the harrowing story of how he reached the summit of Mount Everest but lost friends along the way.  If you enjoy the This Is Why podcast, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcast or Google Podcast. Tell us what you think and please tell a friend about the show.   Twitter: @thisiswhy Email: thisiswhy@curiouscast.ca

On this episode, an Ontario firefighter alleges his human rights were violated when he was not provided sufficient vegan food while battling a massive blaze in British Columbia. However, is access to vegan food a human rights issue? 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

Niki was recently pulled aside by a transit worker and given some surprising hygiene related advice. Little did she know that she was actively spreading germs and the advice was a real eye-opener for her. Also on this episode, we celebrate the caesar's 50th birthday! 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 of the Global News original podcast This is Why, we hear from Canadians convicted of crimes that they did not commit, and examine some of the most high profile cases. This is the second part of a two-part series. 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 of the Global News original podcast This is Why, we hear from Canadians convicted of crimes that they did not commit, and examine some of the most high profile cases. 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

Gas prices across Canada show no signs of slowing down amid record highs. Earlier this month, prices went up for consumers in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick as the federal carbon tax kicked in. And in British Columbia, the price of gas is slowly inching closer to $2 a litre, resulting in some unsuspecting residents waking up to empty tanks in their vehicles. On this week’s episode of the Global News original podcast This is Why, Niki Reitmayer takes a deep dive into the reasons behind the rise of gas prices in Canada and if there are any signs of it slowing down. 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

Canada’s obesity rate has doubled since the 1970s. Around 9.3 per cent of Canadians have diabetes, according to the Canadian Diabetes Association. And about one in 12 Canadians lives with heart disease, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. At a time when there’s never been more information about how to live a healthy lifestyle, Canadians are unhealthier than ever. 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

A young B.C. man is celebrating his recovery from addiction and the new start in his life as an active member of society by riding his prized single-speed BMX bike across Canada from Halifax, N.S., to Victoria, BC. Mathew Fee is a recovered addict who aims to set a world record for the longest BMX ride by cycling across Canada. He will ride across the country on a single-speed BMX bike, covering approximately 6,200 kilometres in 143 days — quite literally from sea to sea. Fee was lost early on his journey in life due to various unfortunate circumstances and found himself abused and seeking solace in drugs and hard living. Having reached an impasse, he enrolled in a residential treatment program in Surrey, B.C., and in celebration of his recovery, he wants to realize his life dream to ride across Canada on a BMX bike. In doing so, Fee wants to give hope and encourage current and future recovering drug users to follow his path and restart a new life, drug-free, and build a future. On this week’s episode of