Sweta Daboo is still surprised when people tell her they listen to the podcast she hosts with Emma Drake.
Daboo, 26, and Drake, 22, were both on UPEI’s student union working on policy changes for student funding in March when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Through the pandemic, they talked with each other about different issues, including COVID-19. In October, Drake had an idea to formalize their discussions and messaged Daboo.
"What are your thoughts on starting a podcast?”
“OK, I’m listening,” Daboo replied.
Passionate about policy
The result was their podcast called Dialogue with Drake and Daboo where they talk policy, politics and pop culture, and dissect these topics in a way that is relatable to listeners.
“Everyone is passionate about policy, they just don’t know it yet,” Drake said to Daboo when they were starting.
“Looking at how people are passionate about housing, or passionate about mental health and all these fall under the umbrella of policy,” Daboo said.
They released their first episode Oct. 19. Eight episodes are available, each with a different guest, on topics such as impaired driving, basic income and open educational resources.
About
- Sweta Daboo, age 26
- Lives in Charlottetown
- Executive director of P.E.I. Coalition of Women in Government
- Emma Drake, age 22
- Lives in Charlottetown
- Elections office co-ordinator for Elections P.E.I.
Their inspiration comes from a mix of current events and what they’re passionate about, Daboo said.
“Our episodes really cover a wide variety of topics, and we try and keep them as diverse and as interesting as possible.”
The reception has been positive, they said.
“I chatted with a friend earlier this week who’s in Ottawa and she said she listens to it to keep in contact with the East Coast and what’s going on on the ground,” Drake said.
Helping during COVID
Their podcast is one of many things Daboo and Drake have been working on through the pandemic to keep Islanders connected.
Daboo is the executive director of the P.E.I. Coalition for Women in Government and Drake is the elections office co-ordinator for Elections P.E.I.
Along with their work, they both played a role in growing a group that helps low-income Islanders find free or affordable reuseable masks. Started by friend Alyssa MacKinnon, the Mask Central P.E.I Facebook page helps bring together those who need masks, donors looking to get masks for those who need them, and groups and organizations accepting donations to distribute.
“The best way to describe it is Alyssa is Santa, and Sweta and I are the elves,” Drake said.
The cost of reusable masks and P.E.I.’s mandatory mask mandate were some of the main reasons they wanted to help, Drake said.
“We recognized that, with the need of reusable masks particularly, that might be a barrier for folks to follow that policy.”
The platform has met their needs so far, and the outpouring of community support from local businesses and donors has been great, Drake said.
“Although there are definitely challenges of being grassroots and being volunteer run, there are a lot of opportunities there as well.”
One of the challenges for Mask Central is that it only reaches people on Facebook, Daboo said.
“Not everyone on the Island who might need a mask, or need access to these resources, currently has Facebook. So there’s a chunk of the population we might not be reaching right now.”
Looking to 2021, Drake and Daboo hope to continue their work with Mask Central as long as the need is still there, and businesses are open to it.
As for the podcast, they have episodes scheduled and recorded for the new year discussing safe injection sites on P.E.I. and expanding health coverage for diabetics, Drake said.
“The most important thing for us is highlighting things that are happening currently, happening on the ground, and provide that more unique policy, progressive perspective.”
