In this episode, I talk about headlining Transform The Night and how it all came to be with opening act, DJ Seith, and speaker, Karen Bird, Founder of Nakehndan. Transform The Night was a benefit concert held on Sunday, September 28th, 2025. With a contribution from Northern Credit Union, we were able to contribute $3,000 CAD to our community spotlight partner, Nakehndan, supporting Indigenous survivors of abuse across Northern Ontario. Headliner: Vanessa Ferlaino Opening Artist: DJ SeithCommunity Spotlight: Nakehndan Speaker: Vanessa FerlainoSpeaker: Karen Bird / Nakehndan Venue: The Speakeasy Video: Rogers

SPECIAL: The Making Of... Transform The Night

On Sunday, September 28th, award-winning artist, Vanessa Ferlaino, headlined Transform The Night. With a contribution from Northern Credit Union, we were able to contribute $3,000 CAD to our community spotlight partner, Nakehndan, supporting Indigenous survivors of abuse across Northern Ontario. 00:00 - Headliner Speaker: Vanessa Ferlaino26:21 - Community Spotlight Speaker: Karen Bird, Founder of Nakehndan33:44 - Headliner Performance: Vanessa Ferlaino1:21:55 - Closing &amp; Credits Headliner: Vanessa FerlainoCommunity Spotlight: Nakehndan Speaker: Vanessa FerlainoSpeaker: Karen Bird / Nakehndan Venue: The Speakeasy Video: Echotech and Rogers

SPECIAL: Transform The Night

Injustice comes in many forms in Hebron, the largest city in The West Bank, and the epicentre of The Arab-Israeli Conflict. Jehad has not forgotten the survival mechanisms, the suffocating permits, or the violence that fuel his social justice work in Canada, where he has led some of Ontario’s largest organizations and supported various minoritized communities since his arrival in 1988. But Hebron is home for Jehad, who also has memories of family, culture, bustling city streets, fresh bread, and Enab Dibs. His Palestinian culture is something he has been able to explore deeper in Canada where he is not asked to present permits everywhere he goes, and where his culture is not banned, unlike back home. Jehad visits home with his own children every year, where he is reminded of the grave injustices that still exist. The violence in The West Bank has increased over the last few years, leading to a death toll of over 250 Palestinians in this year alone. Having lived through the occupation himself, he says: “The only consistency in The Arab-Israeli Conflict is the Israeli occupation.” Government complicity, normalized violence, and the weaponization of anti-semitism have led to the silencing of Palestinian voices and justification of genocide and occupation. Tying his social justice work with his experience living under occupation, Jehad shares how Palestinian culture has been deeply embedded in his advocacy work; his experiences living through occupation and genocide; and ultimately, what he believes is the road to liberation for all. The Human Challenge is an award-winning podcast hosted and produced by Vanessa Ferlaino. Watch the full episode on her Youtube channel.&nbsp;Don't forget to subscribe! The Human Challenge was recognized by Amazon Music and ACAST as an "Indie Podcast Amplifier”. Guess what? We're on Rogers TV! Check us out there! Learn more about Laidlaw Foundation’s work with Black and Indigenous youth at <a href="https://laidlawfdn.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://laidlawfdn.org/</a> Learn more about The Human Challenge at <a href="https://vanessaferlaino.com/thehumanchallenge" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://vanessaferlaino.com/thehumanchallenge</a>

The Road To Liberation

In 2012, Karen Bird’s life took a turn; her teenage daughter disclosed she had been sexually abused. "Mother Of A Survivor" shows the eleven-year healing journey of a mother and her family, leading to the creation of Nakehndan, a non-profit weaving Indigenous and modern healing modalities for sexual abuse survivors to heal as a family unit. Filmed at the beautiful Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig (SKG), an Indigenous higher learning institute in Baawaating, Vanessa sits down with Karen Bird about how it all came to be — and how landing the CEO role at Batchewana First Nations brought her back home. The Human Challenge is an award-winning podcast hosted and produced by Vanessa Ferlaino. Watch the full episode on her channel <a href="https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCg4uWYgbLp0splRxAMmLTZg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">vanessaferlaino</a>. Don't forget to subscribe! The Human Challenge was recognized by Amazon Music and ACAST as an "Indie Podcast Amplifier". Guess what? We're on Rogers TV! Check us out there! --- Learn more about Nakehndan: <a href="https://www.nakehndan.ca/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.nakehndan.ca/</a> Learn more about Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig (SKG): <a href="https://shingwauku.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://shingwauku.org/</a> Learn more about Vanessa Ferlaino and The Human Challenge: <a href="https://vanessaferlaino.com/thehumanchallenge" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://vanessaferlaino.com/thehumanchallenge</a>

Mother Of A Survivor

In this episode of The Human Challenge, host <a href="https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCg4uWYgbLp0splRxAMmLTZg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&nbsp;⁨@vanessaferlaino⁩&nbsp;</a> reflects on her conversation with Bayan Khatib, co-founder of The Syrian Canadian Foundation. Vanessa shares insights into the art of storytelling, creating safe spaces for discussing traumatic experiences, and the importance of empathy in narrative. In this behind-the-scenes episode, discover how storytelling can build a more cohesive society. -- The Human Challenge is an award-winning podcast hosted and produced by Vanessa Ferlaino. Watch the full episode on her Youtube channel. Don't forget to subscribe! Guess what? We're on Rogers TV! Check us out there! The Human Challenge was recognized by Amazon Music and ACAST as an "Indie Podcast Amplifier".

Empathy in Storytelling: Behind the Scenes with Vanessa Ferlaino

Join Vanessa Ferlaino on "The Human Challenge" as she sits down with Bayan Khatib, co-founder of <a href="https://syriancanadianfoundation.ca/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Syrian Canadian Foundation</a>. Bayan recounts her journey from Aleppo, Syria to Canada, highlighting her pivotal role in activism and the fight for a free Syria. From translating a powerful memoir of human rights violations to leading community efforts, Bayan's story is one of resilience and hope. Tune in to hear about her experiences, the challenges faced, and her hopes for Syria's future.&nbsp; The Human Challenge is hosted and produced by Vanessa Ferlaino. Watch the full episode on her channel. Don't forget to subscribe! The Human Challenge is an award-winning podcast, recognized by Amazon Music and ACAST as an "Indie Podcast Amplifier". Guess what? We're on Rogers TV! Check us out there!

From Silence to Activism: A Journey of Syrian Resilience

We made it! There's so much to celebrate in this 50th milestone episode of The Human Challenge! Join host, Vanessa Ferlaino, who confirms our recent announcement that we are officially on Rogers TV! Vanessa also shares insights from her new book, recaps the launch party, and tells us some new things we can expect from the podcast, including community spotlights, new themes, and solo episodes! Vanessa also reflects on her journey, the connection between healing and liberation, and bringing our inner and outer worlds together for real change. "Thanks so much for staying with me! I can't wait to share with you what's in store for us this seasons!" - Vanessa Ferlaino The Human Challenge is hosted and produced by Vanessa Ferlaino. Watch the full episode on her channel. Don't forget to subscribe! The Human Challenge is an award-winning podcast, recognized by Amazon Music and ACAST as an "Indie Podcast Amplifier". Guess what? We're on Rogers TV! Check us out there! Get her new book at vanessaferlaino.com/expansion

Ep 50 Connecting Inner and Outer Worlds: 50th Episode Celebration

In this episode, we dive into the remarkable journey of professional basketball player, Abigail Fogg, who rose from the humble roots of smalltown Sault Ste Marie in Northern Ontario, and made her mark as a 5-year NCAA champion and 8-year international professional basketball player. Discover the challenges she faced, the triumphs she celebrated, and the lessons she learned along the way. We also discuss the evolution of women's sports, and what she thinks needs to happen for women's sports to sustain its peak. Tune in for an inspiring story that will motivate and captivate you from the start. The Human Challenge is hosted and produced produced by Vanessa Ferlaino. Don't forget to subscribe! The Human Challenge is an award-winning podcast, recognized by Amazon Music and ACAST as an "Indie Podcast Amplifier". Guess what? We're officially on Rogers TV! Check us out there!

Ep 49 Small Town, Big Dreams ft. NCAA Champion Abigail Fogg

In this heartfelt episode, we hear from Chip Skowron, MD/PhD and former CEO of Prison Entrepreneurship Program, who takes us through the double life he lived since childhood and how he found peace with himself following the four years he spent in prison for insider trading. Emerging with a renewed sense of purpose, Chip shares how Vanessa's new book served as a poignant reminder of the power of community and healing that he experienced while in prison. While touching on the foreword he wrote for Vanessa's book, he also shares the soul wounds that he healed and how he learned to tune into the body's wisdom, instead of reacting or running away. Join us for an inspiring conversation about resilience, redemption, and the enduring strength of human connection. Learn more about Vanessa's book at vanessaferlaino.com/expansion

Ep 48 Healing Together: Chip's Path from Prison to Purpose

The Human Challenge is hosted and produced by <a href="vanessaferlaino.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vanessa Ferlaino</a>. Watch the full episode on her Youtube channel <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@vanessaferlaino" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>. Don't forget to subscribe!The Human Challenge is an award-winning podcast, recognized by Amazon Music and ACAST as an "Indie Podcast Amplifier".Guess what? We're on Rogers TV! Check us out there!

Hosted and produced by 2X award-winning author, artist, activist, and philanthropist, Vanessa Ferlaino, The Human Challenge explores how prominent figures and everyday people find alignment between their inner and outer work. From astronauts to GRAMMY and JUNO nominees, to returning citizens and displaced people, hear stories of how people’s inner work contributed to the outer work they do now. ** Now Airing on Rogers TV ** Tune InWatch on Vanessa Ferlaino's Youtube Channel <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@vanessaferlaino" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@vanessaferlaino</a>Listen on your favourite podcast channel

The Human Challenge

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