What is this project? 

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This project produces and promotes a peer-led conversational podcast by trades people, for trades people, with the overall goal of reducing opioid related overdose deaths in men working in the trades. Promotions will be for men in the trades, ages 18-59, who use illicit drugs and are working in British Columbia. The project will produce 32-40 podcast episodes that model healthy topical conversation around well-being amongst both peers and experts in a way that will be comfortable and engaging within trades sub-cultures. 

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The goal will be to increase access to tools and information about pain, trauma and substance use; enhance awareness about resilience and wellness; decrease stigma; and meaningfully engage men who work in the trades in sharing their experiences with their peers in a format that is socially and emotionally safe to access. Episode subjects will be decided by the living experience steering committee and could include series on pain and pain management, what helped other trades people who use illicit substances, self regulation tools, what friends and family can do, trauma and resilience informed living, stigma, addictions, treatments and recovery, Q&A episodes, etc.

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2. What would I do on this Advisory/Steering Committee?

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The Advisory/Steering Committee shapes the tone, style, and episode subjects of the podcast. They come up with the NAME. They make various recommendations about promotional strategies and materials. Where there is special interest, they may break into task groups where they can apply particular skills and interest, such as developing the Podcast Cover Art. Where interest is shown, they may become living experience guests on episodes. They may also recommend expert guests to have on the show, such as practitioners that were particularly helpful to them in their journey.

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3. How much time is it going to take up?

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At the beginning (April 2023), it will probably take about an hour of zoom meeting time, up to once a week, until the podcast has everything it needs to get going. Possibly 4 meetings in 4 weeks to start, and then reducing to 1 meeting every three months or so. Meetings will take place at a time most convenient for Steering Committee members, likely evenings or weekends. Meetings will take place on Zoom to support anonymity. Once the podcast is up and running, the Steering Committee will only meet 3-4 times per year, with the exception of special interest working groups who might support the organization of International Overdose Awareness Day activities, etc. 

 

4. Confidentiality

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Because of the stigma and potential consequences some men could face professionally, confidentiality will be maintained to the maximum degree. Meetings will be held on Zoom. While we’d love to see your face, cameras can remain off. Pseudonyms (fake names) can be used. The Project Coordinator will be the only one who knows your real name and information in order to pay an honorarium.

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5. Does it pay anything? 

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Living Experience Advisory/Steering Committee Members will be paid an honorarium of $25/hour. 

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6. Can anyone get on this Advisory/Steering Committee? 

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Qualifications to be on the Advisory/Steering Committee or Stakeholder Expert Group are:

• Male or gender-fluid identifying trades person

• With lived or living experience of illicit substance use

• And/or living with chronic, severe pain.

• Or a close friend or family member who lost a loved one in the trades to overdose.

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 7. Technical Requirements

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Please note you must have access to your own device and wifi for Zoom.

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8. How do I apply?

 

To apply to the Advisory/Steering Committee, email tradespodcast@gmail.com or call or text the Trades Wellness Podcast Project cell at 604-861-8220 and tell them you’re interested in being on the Podcast Advisory Committee. Identify that you meet some of the qualifying criteria. The Project Coordinator will contact you by your preferred method (phone, text, email) to further connect. The Project Coordinator can also answer specific questions you may have.