The July 29 episode of The Final Word is a special episode that features several segments produced by Toronto Metropolitan University journalism students.
The Rise of The Occult
Seen more tarot cards and crystals around lately? Have you noticed the tacky, appropriative dream catchers they’re selling at Urban Outfitters? In this first segment, Abby Hughes and Thomas Publow dive into the current rise in spiritual practice.
In the past couple of years, occultism has seen a rise in popularity while the popularity of organized religion has waned. But with that comes a new generation of spiritual practitioners who are still learning the ins and outs of their practice. Hughes and Publow dive into the nuances of occultism, witchcraft and mysticism to understand why people are so interested.
To do so, they speak with an expert on the sociology of religion about the history of spiritual practice and potential reasons for this trend. They also speak to members of the occult community to get insight into who is driving this movement.
COVID-19 and the Arts
COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on people and businesses around the world. Over the last years, people have turned to art, music, film and TV in order to cope with the stresses of the pandemic. But what about the people who work in the industries that have provided relief for so many?
With the closing of local art galleries, studios, concert venues and theaters, local artists who rely on these spaces have been under intense financial and professional strain. In this second segment, Didhiti Kandel talks to creatives about the impact of COVID-19 on the arts.
Various artists talk about the effects of the pandemic on their employment, income and mental health. They also share their hopes for the future of the arts despite the on-going effects of the pandemic.
Cafe Latino
If you were to flip through the first 100 stations on the radio, you’d likely find yourself listening to the same top 40 hits on a loop. The chances of finding Latin jazz music – slim to none. Enter Cafe Latino, the radio show that’s taken to the airways in hopes of introducing more people to Latino music and culture.
Carolina Pucciarelli and Kayla Higgins tell us all about Cafe Latino, which airs on Jazz FM. It’s the city’s only radio show dedicated to Latin jazz and other subsets of Latin music. They interview the host of Cafe Latino and Latin musicians to hear more about the soothing notes and rhythmic melodies heard on air, and the history of the Latin music scene in Toronto.
Want the full stories? Listen to the July 29 episode of The Final Word on SoundCloud, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
