In this second episode of our series called "You do what for a living?" we introduce you to John Scott, affectionately known as the Clock Guy in Toronto. John is responsible for keeping many of our city's tower clocks running smoothly and chiming on time. John gives us a master class on how gems such as the Old City Hall tower clock operate. After listening to John, you will be left with a whole new appreciation of this scientific wonder known as the tower clock. Thanks for listening! Please visit our website at hiddengemstoronto.net Follow us on Instagram at hiddengems.toronto and Facebook a ..read more

In this podcast we launch the first episode of our occasional series about people who have interesting, if somewhat unusual occupations. And Austin Emery certainly fits the bill. Over his lifetime, Austin has attended more than 500 events dressed as a mascot. He has worn every costume you can imagine. But wait; there's more! In addition to being a mascot, he also is an accomplished sculptor who invites complete novices into his backyard and allows them to create a small sculpture which he then adapts to a larger finished piece that will occupy a public space in the community. By any measure, h ..read more

Jacquie Rushlow is on a mission! She is determined to rid the world of single-use plastic, one community at a time. She gave up a very successful TV production career to work full-time on accomplishing this goal. In a few short years, she has opened four outlets called The Keep Refillery, where people can bring in old plastic containers and refill them with an array of everyday, household products. And for Jacquie this is just the beginning. She is smart, inventive, and relentless in her pursuit. In this episode, she talks about her experience to date and what she has planned moving forward ..read more

For his entire career Peter Clutterbuck has been involved in creating and implementing social policies that have greatly impacted the quality of life in Toronto. Whether it’s poverty, mental health or marginalized communities, his finger print is on them all. Peter discusses the successes and disappointments of his illustrious career and weighs in on the state of our city from a social planning perspective. We wrap up the podcast with a chat about the upcoming election for Mayor.  Thanks for listening! Please visit our website at hiddengemstoronto.net Follow us on Instagram at hiddengems ..read more

StreetARToronto has turned our urban neighbourhoods into an outdoor art gallery. Initiated 10 yours ago  as a plan to reduce graffiti vandalism, the program has engaged artists to change  thousands of drab buildings, underpasses and traffic-signal boxes into vibrant colourful street art. Toronto is now a world leader in this work. And as project manager Catherine Campbell explains, the process working with artists is just as important as the final results.   Thanks for listening! Please visit our website at hiddengemstoronto.net Follow us on Instagram at hiddengems.toronto and F ..read more

While growing up in Europe, Jean-Louis Brenninkmeijer had a real passion for miniature trains. Later on in life, he developed a similar love for the country where work brought him for a two year stint. That country was Canada. He then had the brilliant idea of combining these two passions into one,  and though it took 11 years and millions of dollars to complete, the effort was well worth it. He created Little Canada, a stunning exhibit that replicates major parts of Canada in a miniature but realistic and detailed fashion that literally takes your breath away. Jean-Louis tells us how it ..read more

Tourism is an $8 trillion global industry yet very little of that money makes its way into the hands of local businesses and communities. Fortunately, there is an organization called Planeterra that is trying to change all that. They have helped create nearly 500 community-based initiatives in more than 77 countries. Each one provides travellers with a unique travel experience that also  benefits the local community and many marginalized groups.  Their articulate Director of Partnerships and Development, Tricia Schers, pulls back the curtain and tells us how they do it and more impor ..read more

Zach Grant is the Community Director at the Church of the Holy Trinity in downtown Toronto. The church is a mere 21 steps from the Eaton Centre, the epicentre of retail consumerism in Canada. The contrast could not be more stark. Zach works with, and on behalf of,  the homeless people living in Toronto.  Each month there is a memorial at the Church to celebrate the life and tragic death of those living on the streets.  Zach's life is surrounded by grief and rage, yet their (Zach prefers the gender-neutral pronouns "they/them") compassion and respect for the homeless is on full d ..read more

The indefatigable Sarah Lazarovic has been a journalist, editorial cartoonist and  author. Her book, A Bunch of Pretty Things I Did Not Buy, is a lively tale of her fight against overconsumption, including going one whole year without  buying a single piece of clothing.  And her regular  newsletter, Minimal Viable Planet, which she describes as an undepressing newsletter about how to fight climate change is irreverent, funny and very insightful. She is a much needed breath of fresh air.  Thanks for listening! Please visit our website at hiddengemstoronto.net Follow us ..read more

In this podcast we chat with the Executive and Creative Director of El Mocambo, the effervescent, Mike Chalut.  Mike talks about how the El Mocambo was completely renovated into a state of the art facility, while at the same time, paying homage to its illustrious past. It seems everyone has an Elmo story and you will hear lots of them in this podcast.  Thanks for listening! Please visit our website at hiddengemstoronto.net Follow us on Instagram at hiddengems.toronto and Facebook at hiddengems.toronto ..read more