YXE Underground: Stories of Hope, Humanity & Home

Today’s headlines are filled with conflict and hardship. It’s easy to be discouraged but there’s one place you can go to for a little hope. YXE Underground is a podcast filled with stories of compassion and resilience. People behind the scenes making our community a better place to live. In six seasons the show has reached more than 68,000 downloads/streams and topped the Goodpods list for independent podcasts in Canada.

Eric Anderson is the host and creator of YXE Underground. (Molly Schikosky)

“There’s a demand in Saskatoon to share these stories,” says host and creator Eric Anderson. “I’m very grateful for the community’s continued support of a local, independent podcast.”

“The SSO is doing incredible work connecting people from all parts of our community and all over the world to the power and joy of music.”

Season 7 kicks off September 12th with Mark Turner who, in a decade at the helm of the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, has restored stability to the organization and made it one of the most successful orchestras in the country.

In episode one Eric Anderson (r) introduces us to the Mark Turner (l) leader of the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra. (Rona Andreas)

“His ability to lead and innovate makes him the perfect person to kick of this season of the podcast,” says Anderson. “The SSO is doing incredible work connecting people from all parts of our community and all over the world to the power and joy of music. I’m excited for listeners to discover how Mark and his team are doing this.”

“Their passion and personal stories are a huge part of the program’s success.”

This season also features an innovative yoga program at the Adult Mental Health Short Stay Unit at Royal University Hospital. Brandon Wicks of Rise Strength Lab and Ivy Yoga House’s Jen Rondeau created a class that helps patients during their stay in the unit and after they are released.

“Brandon and Jen opened up to me about their own mental health struggles including Brandon’s stay in the unit,” says Anderson. “Their passion and personal stories are a huge part of the program’s success. It’s just received funding for another two years, which is incredible.”

Mental Health Advocate Lisa Grieg returns to the podcast for Season 7. (Molly Schikosky)

Season 7 also dives into work being done by the Saskatoon Food Band and Learning Centre and Quint Development Corporation. Mental health advocate Lisa Grieg will also be returning for Walking with Lisa where Grieg will offer insights on life’s everyday challenges.

Anderson is also teaming up with award-winning videographer Molly Schikosky on a short film highlighting the stories YXE Underground has shared and the impact it’s made on our community.

“The film is a love letter to Saskatoon,” says Anderson. “It’s also a thank you to all the guests that have appeared on the podcast since it launched in 2018, and of course to all the listeners who’ve supported us along the way. I can’t wait for people to see what season seven has in store.”