I will be wrapping up Season 4 of YXE Underground next month. In that time, I have featured more than 50 guests and had more than 40,000 downloads. I am proud of these numbers. This podcast is done in my free time with a budget of zero dollars. Instead, I rely on the skills and abilities I learned as a journalist to find guests and share their stories in a creative and meaningful way.
This podcast has been quite the journey for me. I have collaborated with local photographers to bring YXE Underground's presence to social media. I have presented to local organizations, elementary and high school classrooms, and even our provincial health organization on the potential and benefits of podcasts, and selfishly have met so many incredible people in our community.
I am excited to see YXE Underground grow in the years to come and thank you for the chance to share my story with you and your listeners.
"It has been a real privilege sharing these stories on YXE Underground and I’m excited to see the podcast continue to grow in the years to come"
- Eric Anderson
My career in journalism and communications, as well as my podcast, would not have happened had I not had the courage to walk away from a secure career and take a risk on a path I felt passionate about. I am very fortunate to be where I am today.
When I deliver podcast merchandise to listeners at their homes, I am able to thank them in person for their support. I think this goes a long way in securing loyalty and support among listeners. What keeps them coming back is curiosity and wanting to know more about their community. They are curious to see who the next episode is going to feature and to discover how this person is making a difference in Saskatoon. My listeners are educated, passionate and very supportive. I am grateful for them!
I wanted to find those people and share their stories with the greater community.
There is no other podcast or even reporter that is doing what I am doing in Saskatoon. This fact was slightly nerve-wracking at first as I was forging a new path. However, that fear quickly morphed into excitement as people began listening and sharing the podcast. There was a market in Saskatoon for my podcast and I knew that it would grow as long as I kept finding exceptional guests and presented their stories in a professional and creative way.
I have covered a variety of topics in the past four seasons told by diverse voices. Food security, education, the arts, mental health and addiction and safe and affordable housing are a few of the topics covered in my podcast. I am so proud of the diversity of the podcast and how it continues to grow and evolve!
The ability to slow down, take a deep breath and be present in the moment in something I think most of us take for granted. For Brandon Wicks, developing and growing this ability through yoga has helped him overcome his mental health issues. Now, he and Jen Rondeau are working with the Royal University Hospital’s Adult Mental Health Short Stay Unit to empower patients on their road to recovery.Â
If you’re looking for Brandon Wicks, there’s a good chance he’s here at Rise Strength Lab. Brandon is not only a personal trainer at the gym but he owns Rise Strength Lab.Â
Every time I see Brandon at the gym, he has a smile on his face and is talking with staff or members. He’s caring man with a big heart who has battled through some pretty challenging mental health issues in recent years.
You’ll hear Brandon share his personal story in this episode, but there was a point during his story where he needed professional help. In January of 2023, Brandon spent two weeks at the Adult Mental Health Short Stay Unit at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon.
There was no gym equipment for him to access during his two week stay, but there was a yoga mat! So Brandon would spend an hour every evening on a mat stretching and breathing and trying to ground himself in the present moment. It helped him immensely.Â
When Brandon left the hospital, he shared his story with Jen Rondeau. Jen is a full time paramedic and also the owner of Ivy Yoga House who has had her own mental health challenges.Â
Brandon wanted to give the gift of yoga back to the mental health short stay unit, and with Jen’s help, was able to do so earlier this year. The story behind this innovative yoga program is, I think, inspiring and you’ll hear it shared with great emotion by Brandon and Jen.Â
The program also inspired Jennifer Molloy. She the CEO of the Royal University Hospital Foundation which is now backing the yoga program for an additional two years. So far, the yoga program at the mental health short stay unit has been running one class a week, but thanks to the RUH Foundation’s support, there will be two classes a week starting in 2025.Â
I want to thank Brandon and Jen for sharing so much in this episode and I know their efforts are truly making a difference in our community.
You can listen to YXE Underground wherever you find your favourite podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Goodpods or on the website: yxeunderground.com
Please feel free to leave a 5-star review if you like what you hear.
You can follow YXE Underground on social media. Simply search YXE Underground on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Thank you for continuing to support a local, independent podcast here in Saskatoon. I really do appreciate it!
Cheers…Eric
- Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
- Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
- Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
- Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis
Vinnie Potestivo, Editor-in-Chief of
I Have A Podcast®