The REAL Change Podcast
A limited-series podcast by BGCBigs
The REAL Change Podcast is a 12-episode series that highlights all of the amazing volunteer programs available at BGCBigs.
You can listen NOW on YouTube or Spotify!
A.J. Keller & Adam Tymko - Stayn' Hip n' With It by Mentoring
Our host Harper speaks to A.J. Adam who are mentors with BGCBigs’ Community-based program. Together, they talk about what it takes to be a great mentor, and what their favourite activities are to do with their mentees—and Harper even teaches them how to do a TikTok dance—to help A.J and Adam “stay hip and with it,” as they say
Gillian Patton & David Kavanagh - Mentoring on Work Time
Our host Harper speaks to our very own Gillian Patton, All In for Youth Supervisor, and David Kavanagh, EPCOR Corporate Mentor. Gillian shares her love for the Corporate Mentoring program and how it transforms mentors and mentees. David talks about how much fun he’s had, from throwing giant paper airplanes from the EPCOR office mezzanine to losing terribly at Battleships against his mentee.
Holly Lassesen & Jayson Yaghi - Pride in Mentoring
Host Harper chats to Holly Lassesen, PRISM Facilitator and Jayson Yaghi, PRISM Mentor. PRISM stands for Pride, Respect, Identity, Safety and Mentoring and is a unique program designed specifically for the 2SLGBTQ+ community! Holly shares her passion for the PRISM program while Jayson talks about how fulfilling being a PRISM mentor is. All three of them try to decipher trending queer phrases. Let’s just say, they all are and left no crumbs!
Danisha Bhaloo-Shivji - Shake it Off & Be a Mentor
Everyone’s favourite host, Harper, chats with Danisha Bhaloo-Shivji, (former) Fund Development Manager. Danisha shares the incredibly personal and inspiring story of her ‘eras’ (à la T. Swift); from her Mentee era to her Mentor era all the way to her Employee era. We even find out which Taylor Swift songs Danisha attributes to each era, which makes it clear to her (and us!) that she just... “needs to calm down”
Jordan Chan & Suzanne Plett - Finding Fulfilment in Mentoring
Hostess with the mostess, Harper, speaks to two AMAZING in-school mentors, Jordan Chan and Suzanne Plett. Jordan, Suzanne and Harper bonded over their shared love of sushi (with caviar, ooh-la-la!). Jordan and Suzanne shared stories about what they love about being in-school mentors, what they find challenging about being mentors, and of course, Harper couldn’t let them leave the studio before quizzing them on their knowledge of Gen Alpha slang! Let’s just say, this episode is bussin’!
Euwen Ndhlovu - Mentoring is Vibes
Episode 6
Host Harper sits down with Euwen Ndhlovu, Youth Engagement Supervisor, who tells us all about BGCBigs’ GAME CHANGERS program—a program designed specifically for male mentors and male mentees—and the importance of ~vibes~. Euwen also gives Harper a lesson in how to pronounce his last name, while Harper teaches Euwen about what qualifies as mindful, demure and cutesy
DROPPING Dec. 31, 2025
Episode 8
STAY TUNED... Our gal Harper gets the rare and unprecedented opportunity to interview a mentor AND mentee together, when she sits down with the very wise, Al Chapman (mentor) and always fashionable Caden Auger (mentee) who share their experience being part of BGCBigs' Youth in Care (YIC)/Mentoring for Youth & Young Adults from Care (MYYAC) program
DROPPING January 7, 2025
Episode 9
STAY TUNED... This episode of the pod is for the girls! Host Harper sits down with Trish Aire, BGCBigs Club Supervisor; Karley Leverenz, BGCBigs Club Coordinator; and Taylore Czorny, BGCBigs Club Volunteer to talk all things Club programs.