The Forefront: Ideas for cities
The Forefront showcases how Toronto Metropolitan University is tackling the big issues facing Canadians through bold research, innovation, and collaboration. Hear from some of the country's greatest minds and highlight the solutions our country needs. We don't shy away from topics like the environment, urban planning, healthcare, reconciliation and more. Hosted by Amanda Cupido.
Episodes
34 episodes
Next-gen nursing: How simulation labs are advancing nursing education
Discover how Toronto Metropolitan University is shaping the next generation of nurses through immersive, hands-on education. Backed by a $1 million donation from the FDC Foundation, these innovative simulation labs immerse students in rea...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 6
•
13:14
From startup to success: How TMU’s leading tech incubator is advancing entrepreneurship
TMU’s DMZ has earned its place as the world’s top university-based tech incubator with its 14 years of experience, 1000+ startups and $2.76 billion in funding. By providing entrepreneurs with the tools to build, launch and scale their ventures,...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 5
•
16:18
Changing fashion for all: How Aille Design is revolutionizing inclusive clothing
Shopping for clothes is typically a visual experience, but for those who are partially or totally blind, it can be challenging. Enter Aille Design, founded by Alexa Jovanovic, a Fashion Communication '16 alumna, and incubated in TMU’s Fashion Z...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 4
•
14:34
The silent epidemic: The growing crisis of loneliness in Canada's seniors
There’s a silent epidemic impacting older Canadians over the age of 50. A new report from Toronto Metropolitan University'’s National Institute on Ageing (NIA) revealed that 40 per cent of Canadians aged 5...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 3
•
13:33
The future of learning is AI: How ProfBot is transforming education
Artificial intelligence in higher education comes with its challenges, but one Toronto Metropolitan University professor has turned AI into an asset. Meet
•
Season 5
•
Episode 2
•
12:38
Shaping the future of medicine: How TMU is redefining patient care
What if the next time you see a doctor, you are treated as a person, not just a patient, and your culture and background are embraced, not overlooked? That’s the vision Toronto Metropolitan University’s
•
Season 5
•
Episode 1
•
13:25
Season 5: Trailer
Our award-winning podcast, The Forefront, is back for another season! Join us as we explore disruptions in healthcare, education, technology, fashion, and beyond.
•
Season 5
•
1:13
As Real As It Gets: A new type of firefighter suit that is disrupting the industry
Smoke, noise, disorientation— when firefighters are inside a burning building, the ability to get out safely is a challenge.In this episode, we speak with Michael Stanfield, a former Toronto fire chief and co-founder of IFTech,...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 5
•
12:08
Staying Ahead of the “Curv”: A microcredential that is changing the educational landscape
The job market is changing at a rapid speed, making it difficult for both those looking to get hired and for those doing the hiring. How can we address this skills gap?In this episode, we speak with Matt McInnis, an educational...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 4
•
11:49
Turning Music Into Medicine: The power of binaural beats
More than 50 per cent of Canadians report that their mental health has worsened since the beginning of the pandemic. And while treatments like therapy and medication can help, they can be hard to access — and expensive. In...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 3
•
13:59
Fashioning Health Care: Humanizing the experience for breast cancer patients
A lot of things about being a breast cancer patient can feel dehumanizing, but one thing that can change is what patients are given to wear on their chest. In this episode, we speak with patient advocate Jennifer Schultz and Jes...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 2
•
12:50
The Quantum Wallet: Leveraging innovation to combat identity theft
In 2018, hackers got hold of TMU alumna Erin MacDonald’s personal information and began a tsunami of purchases — affecting her credit rating and causing profound stress. In this episode, we speak with Erin about the theft ...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 1
•
12:30
Season 4: Trailer
Our award-winning podcast is back for another season! This time we’re exploring human-centred innovation, from designing a post-surgical garment for breast cancer patients to employing robotics to help first responders.
•
Season 4
•
Episode 0
•
1:06
Rethinking Clean Transportation: How cities can be designed to reduce emissions
According to TMU's Centre for Urban Energy, by 2030, 80% of the world's population will live in urban areas, so the way we use energy will impact the way we live, work and grow as a c...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 6
•
14:52
Bike Lanes and Big Cities: Keeping people moving with protected bike lanes
Canadians continue to be divided on bike lanes on city streets. However, research out of TMU shows that after developing prote...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 5
•
15:01
City Living: How noisy is too noisy?
For city dwellers, noise is just part of the package – but how noisy is too noisy? Research shows that ongoing exposure to noise can negatively impact your health, leading to conditions like heart disease and diabetes. And according to the U...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 4
•
13:07
Generation Climate: A youth-driven climate change initiative
Canadian youth are becoming increasingly concerned about the climate change crisis impacting our country and the world. TMU's Leadership Lab
•
Season 3
•
Episode 3
•
11:24
Environmental Racism: Why certain communities are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change
In Canada and around the world, Black Indigenous and people of colour are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Research has shown that racialized communities in Canada have higher exposure to air pollution and less access to gre...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 2
•
15:50
Special Episode: A deep dive into the renaming of our university
In 2021 the Standing Strong Task Force provided a list of recommendations for how the university can address the legacy of Egerton Ryerson and forge a new chapter. One of the recommendations was a renaming to reflect our university values be...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 1
•
15:35
Season 3: Trailer
Toronto Metropolitan University's award-winning podcast The Forefront is back! This season, we look at how the university is tackling some of the environmental issues impacting Canadians.
•
Season 3
•
Episode 0
•
0:59
Season 2: Trailer
In this season of The Forefront, we will explore the role Toronto Metropolitan University is playing in creating more inclusive, sustainable, and livable cities.
•
Season 2
•
Episode 0
•
0:47
Dispatched to the Frontlines: Filling the nursing gap
In Ontario and across the country, hospitals are struggling with a nursing shortage. The issue has prompted the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing to work with the provincial government to provide support to hospitals through a job placement pro...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 6
•
12:54
No News is Bad News: The dire state of local journalism
Since 2008, 447 local news outlets in more than 300 communities have shut down across Canada. This includes everything from newspapers to local TV to community radio. School of Journalism Professor April Lindgren has been tracking the trend via...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 5
•
12:07
The Canadian Dream: The impact of immigrant entrepreneurs
In a multicultural hub like the Greater Toronto Area, what impact do immigrant entrepreneurs and retailers have on the city? Urban and Regional Planning professor Dr. Zhixi Zhuang says the benefits go beyond economic ones and extend into establ...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 4
•
17:50
Missing the Playground: How to get city kids moving during lockdown
When the pandemic began in March 2020, many people found themselves suddenly trapped at home — with everything from restaurants, to gyms, to playgrounds being shut down. A national survey found that less than 3% of Canadian children and youth w...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 3
•
12:11