Humboldt Bronco player Ryan Straschnitzki’s journey from hockey hopeful to accessibility advocate
Ryan Straschnitzki knows, first hand, what it’s like to adapt – he’s a survivor of the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash, in which many of his Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club teammates were badly injured, or lost their lives. We talk to Ryan about life after the crash, learning to navigate a world that wasn’t built for him in a wheelchair. We also speak with Brad McCannell of the Rick Hansen Foundation about creating meaningful access in the built environment, and adaptive technology pioneer Jaimie Borisoff about his research designs that make everyday activities better for people with mobility issues.
Fireweed: Stories of resilience and adaptability
During a period of profound adjustment in the way we work, learn, and socialize, the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) sets out to inspire with stories of resilience and adaptability on Fireweed. Fireweed is BCIT’s first-ever podcast series that shares stories about people who have preserved in the face of disruption and re-written their story.
Why Fireweed?
After the devastation of a forest fire, the first plant to grow back is fireweed. A vibrant wildflower from the Pacific Northwest, fireweed symbolizes hope, resilience, and adaptability—things we could all use a little more of right now.
Adaptability is now seen as the critical skill by leading employers across the country. But the trick is: we need to adapt in the right ways. Ways that will help us move forward, together. Through Fireweed, BCIT is connecting education and industry to power resilience, foster hope, and strengthen adaptability.
Stories and guests on Fireweed
Listeners will follow host and BCIT Broadcast and Online Journalism alumna Maria Vinca through conversations with thought leaders and experts from throughout the Cascadia Corridor and beyond. Meet academics, industry leaders, and people from business and tech who are working to create resilient systems—all built to handle change. Compelling and personal stories from people with vastly different experiences who have demonstrated their ability to grow and adapt to whatever challenges life throws at them and—like fireweed—come back stronger than ever.
That’s why this diverse and inter-generational podcast, brought to you by BCIT, tells stories that embody our never-ending human potential to adapt to change.
Fireweed is available wherever you get your podcasts. Follow on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify to get notified as soon as each episode is available.