Why Advocate? : A Podcast Series

Charlie Martin is the Communications and Advocacy Intern with OUSA for the Summer of 2023. The purpose of starting this show was partly due to completing his capstone project. Charlie wanted to use his project to highlight the works of those he advocates beside and learn more about what it truly means to advocate for students. Through each episode, Charlie brings on a special guest with a unique perspective on a student-related issue to discuss the importance of advocating and bringing awareness to others. Moreover, Charlie discusses how each guest became aware of advocacy and delves deep into their journey to becoming a student leader.

Charlie Martin is a third-year student at Brock University studying Political Science with a minor in history.  After his undergrad, Charlie intends to become a lawyer, where he wants to practice family law.  

Click on each episode to be directed to the full podcast posted on YouTube.

Episode #1 - Affordability with Alyssa Hall

Alyssa Hall is the Vice President of External Affairs at Brock University. In this episode, Charlie and Alyssa discuss student affordability and how students are facing food and housing insecurity. Alyssa talks of how she ended up in her executive role, which came to her rather than her reaching for it. 

Episode #2 - Gender Based Sexual Violence with Emily 

Emily Poirier is OUSA’s VP of Finance and Westerns Undergraduate Student Councils Vice President of External Affairs. In this episode, Charlie and Emily discuss the climate of Western’s campus following the mass drugging and sexual assault cases during O-Week of 2021. Emily talks of her involvement in assembling the walkout and her grassroots advocacy work and distinguishes between being an activist and an advocate.