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About This Podcast
As the former mayor of a mid-size Canadian city, I witnessed firsthand the growing social challenges facing communities across North America. Searching for Solutions explores urgent issues like the housing crisis, homelessness, mental health, addiction, and food insecurity and, more importantly, the disruptive ideas that are making a real difference.
Each episode features a guest who helps unpack a problem and points toward practical, proven solutions.
This podcast is for anyone who cares about their community and wants to move from frustration to action at a time when too many people feel powerless to create change.
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Recent Episodes
S1E54 Is It Time for One City in Niagara?
Niagara has 12 municipalities, a regional government, and rising costs.Is it time for a reset?Former CAO Harry Schlange joins Searching for Solutions to make the case for One City, One Council — a…
S1E50 No Water, No Future: The Fight to Secure Niagara’s Agricultural Lifeline Episode
Niagara’s farms are running up against a hard truth: without reliable water, there is no long-term future for one of Canada’s most productive agricultural regions.After more than 20 years of studies,…
S1E53 Amalgamation in Niagara: What It Means and Why It Matters
Amalgamation is back in the conversation in Niagara—and with it comes a familiar promise: lower costs, more efficiency, and a better way forward.But is that actually true?In this episode of Searching…
S1E51 Reclaiming Attention: Helping Kids Break Free from Digital Addiction
In this episode of Searching for Solutions, Walter sits down with Lucy Colangelo, founder of the ShineOn Method, to explore one of the defining challenges of modern family life: our relationship with…
S1E48 Art in Action: Climate — Art, Science, and Community Solutions
In this episode of Searching for Solutions, host Walter Sendzik is joined by Dr. Julia Baird, Associate Professor at Brock University, for a timely conversation about Art in Action: Climate—a…
S1E47 Breaking the Cycle — Reducing Domestic Violence in Our Communities
Intimate partner violence is a crisis that affects every community — a form of harm that happens behind closed doors, where trust should exist but fear and control often take hold.In Canada, more…
S1E46 The Rise of Online Sports Gambling (Part 2 of 2)
In Part Two of our deep dive into the rise of online sports gambling, we shift from the problem to the people on the front lines of the solution. This episode focuses on the young men across Canada…
S1E45 The Rise of Online Sports Gambling (Part 1 of 2)
Online sports gambling is growing faster than almost anyone imagined — and young men are being hit the hardest. Since Canada legalized single-event betting in 2021, gambling has shifted from an…
S1E44 Unpacking "The How" in Getting More Housing Built
In this episode, host Walter Sendzik sits down with Drew Toth, CEO and Founder of Elevate Living, to discuss the housing crisis. Drew shares his blueprint for unlocking more housing supply,…
S1E38 Building a business case to better manage the intake of housing
Working on the frontlines with people experiencing homelessness — or those living one crisis away from it — is some of the most demanding and critical work in our community. While many agencies…
S1E39 From Data to Dignity: Tackling Homelessness in Niagara
How did the City of Houston manage to significantly reduce homelessness? The answer lies in an unexpected but powerful tool: accurate, real-time data. On this episode of Searching for Solutions, we…
S1E35 Creating accessory dwelling units within residential neighbourhoods could unlock more affordable housing
Cities are changes planning regulations and offering incentives for homeowners to build accessory dwelling units as a means to create more affordable livings spaces.Xavier Toby, founder of Axe…
S1E34 Toboggan Flats isn't about places to sled, it's about creating affordable living spaces for young people
When you talk to young people entering the working world, one of their biggest concerns is securing affordable housing. The bigger the city, the more difficult it is to find safe and affordable…
S1E31 Can empathy be a key to getting people to act when it comes to climate change?
The world's climate is accelerating due to humans. It's a fact. Humans have the abilities to alter this pathway that is currently leading towards greater environmental disasters, but what is getting…
S1E32 Leadership in a crisis with Jeff Lehman
Mayors are often the front lines of leadership. In any given community, it is the mayor who is the most visible elected official. During times of crisis, there is a role to play for a mayor to help…
S1E30 Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter talks about his journey from homelessness to becoming mayor of mid-size Canadian city
The political debate around homelessness often falls into two camps. Some Canadians feel threatened by homeless people, believing they are a source of crime, and some business owners think they keep…
S1E29 How socks can make a difference with Sam Baio
Ideas on how to help in communities come in all shapes and sizes. No idea is too big and no idea is too small when it comes finding ways to help those who are struggling with homelessness. Sometimes…
S1E28 How to turn down the dial on anger and rage with Julie Christiansen
We are living in a period of increasing rage and anger driven by the polarization of politics and social media. Last fall Pollara Strategic Insights’ Rage Index showed Canadians are an angry bunch…
S1E27 A new company looks to unlock spaces within homes to provide housing for students
In university and college towns, the pressure for housing has exhausted the housing market due to a continuous increase in enrolments that hasn't been matched by an increase in on-campus student…
S1E26 How to deal with tensions in your life and in community with Tim Arnold
One of the most foundational books that I read during my time as Mayor of St. Catharines was written by Tim Arnold called The Power of Healthy Tension. It was a powerful book that gave me the tools…
Frequently Asked Questions
Searching for Solutions has published 44 episodes since August 2023, covering topics in Society & Culture.
Searching for Solutions is currently sporadic with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 43m.
