J-School alum Jordan Heath-Rawlings launches Elbows Up podcast

Jordan Heath-Rawlings (‘05) was thinking about starting a podcast on the meaning of Canadian identity in the early part of the year. Then, a lead fell into his lap: U.S. President Donald Trump began threatening to turn Canada into the 51st state and hit the country with unprecedented tariffs. 

Suddenly, a “practical” (external link)  podcast on how to strengthen Canadian identity — economically, psychologically, emotionally — became a need. With producer Laura Palmer and sound designer Mat Keselman, Rawlings launched a personal audio project to fill the space, titled Elbows Up (external link)  (a hockey reference repopularized by celebrities like Mike Meyers).

“At its core, podcasts are about companionship and community,” Heath-Rawlings said. “And I think that for something like [U.S.-Canada relations] that can be so shocking and scary, that's a really good way to discuss it.”

The podcast came together from cover design to the first episode within a week. With no external funding from any news organization, podcast network, government or advertisers, Heath-Rawlings said the podcast is something they are doing for themselves because they think it’s important for Canadians to hear.

The show, which has released its first five episodes, so far discusses concepts including building a civil defense corps, cybersecurity, saving money, understanding Canadian reserve forces and Canada's national security.

“The heart of each episode is, ‘here is a practical concern, both for the country and also for individuals.’ And ‘here are steps that we as a country or we as individuals can take,’” Heath-Rawlings said.

Heath-Rawlings said the initial episodes have received a “tremendous” response. At Elbows Up, they are encouraging their listeners to help determine the direction of the podcast and address exactly what they want and need to hear.

“I have learned to believe as my career has gone along that service journalism is an incredibly underrated aspect of the profession,” Heath-Rawlings said. “That is journalism that is practical, nonpartisan in nature and that can deliver people information that they find useful and actionable.”

To current J-School students, Heath-Rawlings said to stick with the intention of finishing journalism school.

“But along the way, if you have ideas that are yours and that you think people will find useful, just go do them,” he added.

You can listen to Elbows Up on Spotify (external link) , Apple Podcasts (external link)  or their website (external link) .