Podcast
Sports for Social Impact
Hosted by David Thibodeau · EN
Sports for Social Impact explores the power that sport has to create a positive impact in society. Sport for development & peace is a versatile tool that can be used to tackle many social, environmental & economic challenges such as the Sustainable Development Goals. The hope is that these conversations and ideas will help achieve the maximum benefit of sport in our society. Hosted by David Thibodeau.
Contact: sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com
Make sure you follow us on Linkedin and Instagram to stay connected! @SportsSocImpact
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Sport and Urban Renewal (with Murhad Hussain, SpinLab)
2d ago00:38:33Tap to summarizeSpinLab is an inclusive, eco-friendly table tennis initiative in Aberdeen that transforms vacant urban properties into community hubs. By offering subsidised memberships, youth programmes and adaptive opportunities for people with disabilities, the project removes barriers to participation for low-income families and vulnerable groups.Aligned with Aberdeen’s Union Street Empty Shops Action Plan, SpinLab repurposes disused spaces into welcoming sport environments. By tackling the city’s 24% child poverty rate and promoting affordable access to sport, the initiative empowers communities to play, grow and thrive together.Murhad Hussain, from London, is a former international table tennis player now pursuing a Master’s in Sport Business Management. Alongside his career in powerlifting, in which he competes with international ambitions, Murhad is passionate about tackling child poverty and creating inclusive sport spaces. Through his work, he seeks to show how sport can build resilience, foster equality and drive lasting social change.Links:SpinLab: https://www.spinlabhq.co.uk/IOC Young Leaders: https://www.olympics.com/ioc/young-leaders/murhad-hussain ---- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation! The Sports for Social Impact podcast was nominated for a Sports Podcast Award and Canadian Podcast Award.Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sportsforsocialimpactLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sports-for-social-impactFollow us on Instagram (@SportsSocImpact) Follow us on Substack: https://substack.com/@sportssocimpactJoin our bookclub: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXiczKtPflGv4vaIEw9wJvGZ2RASB5_3-DIPRU0N-T8Io8Zg/viewform?usp=headerVisit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/
Transcribe →
Sport and Preventing Substance Abuse (with Otim Ambrose, Play Pure)
2w ago00:37:48Tap to summarizePlay Pure is a community-based initiative that aims to tackle drug and substance abuse among young people in Kampala’s Acholi Quarter. Through football and netball sessions, the project seeks to promote social well-being, gender equality and healthy living. By offering safe, structured alternatives, Play Pure will provide a positive outlet for young people aged 6-25, helping to reduce crime, violence and dependency on drugs while building stronger, more resilient communities.Otim Ambrose is a football player from Kampala who has experienced first-hand the power of sport to change lives. Growing up in the streets of Kampala, he rose through the ranks to proudly represent Uganda at the Seoul 2024 Homeless World Cup and as a Young Leader at Festival 24 in France. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Procurement and Logistics Management.As a newly appointed IOC Young Leader (2025-2028), Otim is passionate about using sport to create opportunities for children and young people in Kampala’s slums. His vision is to harness football, netball and other team sports to promote healthier lifestyles, reduce vulnerability to drugs and substance abuse, and inspire youth to pursue positive paths.Links:IOC Young Leaders: https://www.olympics.com/ioc/young-leaders/otim-ambrosePlay Pure Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playpureug?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw%3D%3D UNODC: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/justice-and-prison-reform/cpcj-crime-prevention-Sport.html ---- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation! The Sports for Social Impact podcast was nominated for a Sports Podcast Award and Canadian Podcast Award.Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sportsforsocialimpactLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sports-for-social-impactFollow us on Instagram (@SportsSocImpact) Follow us on Substack: https://substack.com/@sportssocimpactJoin our bookclub: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXiczKtPflGv4vaIEw9wJvGZ2RASB5_3-DIPRU0N-T8Io8Zg/viewform?usp=headerVisit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/
Transcribe →
Supporting Parkinson’s Patients and Caregivers through Sport (with Audrey Oronda, aTTain Table Tennis)
Apr 1400:31:13Tap to summarizeThe aTTain Table Tennis initiative introduces table tennis as a therapeutic and social intervention for people living with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) and their caregivers in Kenya. By addressing challenges such as costly treatments, misdiagnosis and stigma, the project fosters safe environments that support both patients and caregivers.Through table tennis sessions, participants improve motor skills, hand–eye coordination, and cognitive function. Beyond the physical benefits, the initiative provides much-needed emotional support, reduces stigma and promotes dignity and quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s in Kilifi and beyond.Audrey Oronda is a certified ITTF table tennis coach and a research scientist by profession. Her coaching philosophy goes far beyond performance – she sees sport, and table tennis in particular, as a bridge between health, inclusion and opportunity.Blending her expertise in coaching, research and advocacy, Audrey is committed to harnessing the therapeutic power of sport to improve well-being and challenge stigma, while creating inclusive spaces where communities can thrive.Links:IOC Young Leaders: https://www.olympics.com/ioc/young-leaders/audrey-oronda Attainable Table Tennis: https://www.instagram.com/attaintabletennis?igsh=ZGQxaDNtYmVwNG55 ---- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation! The Sports for Social Impact podcast was nominated for a Sports Podcast Award and Canadian Podcast Award.Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sportsforsocialimpactLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sports-for-social-impactFollow us on Instagram (@SportsSocImpact) Follow us on Substack: https://substack.com/@sportssocimpactJoin our bookclub: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXiczKtPflGv4vaIEw9wJvGZ2RASB5_3-DIPRU0N-T8Io8Zg/viewform?usp=headerVisit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/
Transcribe →
Transforming Sport in Canada: Who do we want to be? (with Cheryl MacDonald and Andre Gallant)
Apr 901:40:41Tap to summarizeFuture of Sport in Canada Commission was established by the federal government in December 2023. The Commission’s mandate was to review the Canadian sport system and make recommendations on concrete and effective actions with respect to improving safe sport and the sport system in Canada.Cheryl Macdonald is the CEO of Sport New Brusnwick. She holds a PhD in Social & Cultural Analysis from Concordia University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in building inclusive sporting communities at the University of Alberta. She was also the co-editor of Overcoming the Neutral Zone Trap: Hockey's agents of change (2021).Andre Gallant has been a long time leader within the Canadian Sport and Recreation sector, working with the Canada Games Council and the YMCA, among others.Links:Transforming Sport in Canada: Time for Action final report: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/future-sport/participate/final-report.html---- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation! The Sports for Social Impact podcast was nominated for a Sports Podcast Award and Canadian Podcast Award.Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sportsforsocialimpactLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sports-for-social-impactFollow us on Instagram (@SportsSocImpact) Follow us on Substack: https://substack.com/@sportssocimpactJoin our bookclub: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXiczKtPflGv4vaIEw9wJvGZ2RASB5_3-DIPRU0N-T8Io8Zg/viewform?usp=headerVisit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/
Transcribe →
From Policy to Practice: Building Inclusive Recreation (with Taryn Barry, Active Abilities Canada)
Mar 3100:59:10Tap to summarizeActive Abilities Canada is a national organization dedicated to advancing inclusion and accessibility in recreation and physical activity for people of all abilities. With a focus on breaking down barriers and fostering equitable opportunities, they work closely with communities, organizations, and governments to create environments where everyone can participate fully and confidently. Through education, advocacy, and practical resources, Active Abilities Canada empowers individuals and groups to build more inclusive spaces that promote health, connection, and well-being for all. Their collaborative approach and commitment to meaningful change make them a leading voice in shaping a more accessible and inclusive future across the country.The Municipal Guide for Disability Inclusion in Recreation and Physical Activity is a comprehensive resource designed to support municipalities in creating inclusive, accessible recreational spaces and programs. This guide offers practical strategies, tools, and best practices to help local governments remove barriers and foster environments where people of all abilities can fully participate in physical activity and recreation. By focusing on inclusion, equity, and community engagement, the guide empowers municipalities to build stronger, healthier communities that celebrate diversity and ensure everyone has the opportunity to move, play, and connect.Leading this project is Taryn Barry, the dedicated Project Manager whose expertise and passion have shaped the guide into a valuable tool for promoting equity and inclusion in community recreation. Taryn has worked for different sport organizations in Canada and internationally, and currently is the project manager of the Municipal Guide for Disability Inclusion in Recreation and Physical Activity. She has a PhD in sport management at the University of Alberta. Taryn played varsity hockey for the University of Alberta Pandas Hockey team for five seasons.Links:Municipal Guide for Disability Inclusion in Recreation and Physical Activity: https://activeabilities.ca/municipal-guide/Actives Abilities Canada: https://activeabilities.ca/---- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation! The Sports for Social Impact podcast was nominated for a Sports Podcast Award and Canadian Podcast Award.Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sportsforsocialimpactLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sports-for-social-impactFollow us on Instagram (@SportsSocImpact) Follow us on Substack: https://substack.com/@sportssocimpactJoin our bookclub: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXiczKtPflGv4vaIEw9wJvGZ2RASB5_3-DIPRU0N-T8Io8Zg/viewform?usp=headerVisit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/
Transcribe →
Empowering Haiti’s Youth through Sport (with GOALS Haiti)
Mar 1700:34:21Tap to summarizeGOALS Haiti is a grassroots nonprofit organization harnessing the universal language of soccer to create meaningful, lasting change in rural Haiti. GOALS stands for Global Outreach And Love of Soccer, and through its innovative sport-for-development approach, the organization advances youth leadership through soccer, education, and community service, helping build stronger, healthier communities where opportunities have historically been limited. Along with playing on a team, participants engage in community service projects such as planting trees and recycling initiatives and attend health lessons on topics like disease prevention, hygiene, and sex education . GOALS Haiti ensures girls and boys can access opportunities by helping them on their education path through literacy classes, tutoring lessons, and scholarships reaching children and youth who otherwise might be left behind.At the heart of this work is Kathy McAllister, Executive Director of GOALS Haiti. Kathy first came to Haiti as a Peace Corps volunteer more than twenty years ago, and what began as a two-year commitment became a lifelong calling. Fluent in Haitian Creole and deeply embedded in local partnerships, Kathy has helped build GOALS alongside Haitian leaders, coaches, and youth — ensuring that programs are not imposed from the outside, but shaped by the community itself.Links:GOALS Haiti: https://www.goalshaiti.org/what-we-do---- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation! The Sports for Social Impact podcast was nominated for a Sports Podcast Award and Canadian Podcast Award.Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sportsforsocialimpactLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sports-for-social-impactFollow us on Instagram (@SportsSocImpact) Follow us on Substack: https://substack.com/@sportssocimpactJoin our bookclub: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXiczKtPflGv4vaIEw9wJvGZ2RASB5_3-DIPRU0N-T8Io8Zg/viewform?usp=headerVisit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/
Transcribe →
Making a SPLASH (with Libby Alexander)
Mar 300:47:48Tap to summarizeSplash Foundation is a dynamic nonprofit whose mission is to create opportunities for children and adults from under-resourced communities to learn how to swim, build confidence, enhance wellbeing, and spark community connection. Splash believes that swimming is not just a sport — it’s a life skill that opens doors, builds resilience, and fosters belonging.Libby Alexander, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Splash Foundation. Libby helped start Splash to break down barriers around swimming access, especially for groups like migrant domestic workers, families from low-income backgrounds, and individuals with special educational needs — helping thousands overcome fear, gain courage, and unlock new possibilities in and out of the water.Links:SPLASH Foundation---- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation! The Sports for Social Impact podcast was nominated for a Sports Podcast Award and Canadian Podcast Award.Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sportsforsocialimpactLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sports-for-social-impactFollow us on Instagram (@SportsSocImpact) Follow us on Substack: https://substack.com/@sportssocimpactJoin our bookclub: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXiczKtPflGv4vaIEw9wJvGZ2RASB5_3-DIPRU0N-T8Io8Zg/viewform?usp=headerVisit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/
Transcribe →
The Power of Play (with Ellen Fesseha, Right to Play)
Feb 1700:41:54Tap to summarizeRight To Play is a global organization that uses play-based programs to protect, educate, and empower children who are facing some of the toughest challenges in the world. From supporting kids in conflict and displacement settings, to working with Indigenous communities here in Canada, Right To Play shows how sport and play can be so much more than just fun — they can be tools for learning, healing, confidence, and connection.Ellen Fesseha is Right To Play’s Play Specialist. Ellen brings her experience as an elementary school teacher and her knowledge of play-based learning through her PhD studies exploring diverse cultural perspectives of play-based learning to her role in supporting Right To Play's use of play and sport for children's holistic development and learning. Links:Right to Play: https://righttoplay.ca/en-ca/---- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation! The Sports for Social Impact podcast was nominated for a Sports Podcast Award and Canadian Podcast Award.Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sportsforsocialimpactLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sports-for-social-impactFollow us on Instagram (@SportsSocImpact) Follow us on Substack: https://substack.com/@sportssocimpactJoin our bookclub: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXiczKtPflGv4vaIEw9wJvGZ2RASB5_3-DIPRU0N-T8Io8Zg/viewform?usp=headerVisit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/
Transcribe →
At the Forefront of Sustainability and Gender Equality (with Isabella Bertold)
Feb 300:44:02Tap to summarizeIsabella Bertold is a professional sailor and cyclist. As captain of Concord Pacific Racing in the first ever Women’s America’s Cup, she led the ‘It’s Time’ campaign, building long-term pathways for girls and women in sailing. She’s also a sharp sport-business thinker, startup advisor and early stage-investor, speaking openly about how women’s sport can attract aligned investment and build athlete-centred business models. She’s recently been featured in Sport Business Journal, Domestique, Shift Cycling Culture and The Feist, and she writes a growing Substack exploring sport, sustainability and tech innovation. Sustainability is core to her leadership. She drove Canada SailGP’s Impact League work and is currently preparing for ‘Paths of Wind and Motion’ a solo sailing and cycling expedition from Plymouth to Bergen and through the Norwegian fjords, gathering microplastics data while raising public awareness. Isabella is the definition of a modern day athlete, passionate, purpose-driven and pushing the boundaries of what sport, sustainability and leadership can achieve.Links:Isabella Bertold's Canadian sailing team looks to make waves in America's Cup Barcelona | CBC SportsIntroducing... Isabella Bertold, the Canadian athlete applying the skills of road bike racing to the F50Isabella BertoldIsabella Bertold | 37th America's Cup | Team Canada 2024Women’s sailing needs aligned investment, not just deep pockets---- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation! The Sports for Social Impact podcast was nominated for a Sports Podcast Award and Canadian Podcast Award.Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sportsforsocialimpactLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sports-for-social-impactFollow us on Instagram (@SportsSocImpact) Follow us on Substack: https://substack.com/@sportssocimpactJoin our bookclub: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXiczKtPflGv4vaIEw9wJvGZ2RASB5_3-DIPRU0N-T8Io8Zg/viewform?usp=headerVisit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/
Transcribe →
125 - The Magic of Run Clubs (with Maegan Downey)
Jan 2000:39:42Tap to summarizeMaegan Downey is the founder of the Run Forest Run Club, a run club based in Revelstoke, B.C.Links:Run Forest Run Club: https://www.instagram.com/stories/runforestrevy/---- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation! The Sports for Social Impact podcast was nominated for a Sports Podcast Award and Canadian Podcast Award.Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sportsforsocialimpactLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sports-for-social-impactFollow us on Instagram (@SportsSocImpact) Follow us on Substack: https://substack.com/@sportssocimpactJoin our bookclub: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXiczKtPflGv4vaIEw9wJvGZ2RASB5_3-DIPRU0N-T8Io8Zg/viewform?usp=headerVisit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/
Transcribe →