Positively Speaking
Giving voice to people living with HIV by sharing their diverse and compelling stories. The podcast comes from Casey House, a specialty hospital in Toronto providing care for people living with and at risk of HIV, and engages clients and peers who speak about their experiences.
- Update frequency
- every 11 days
- Average duration
- 22 minutes
- Episodes
- 14
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2023
HIV and Animals - More than just a Pet
As companions, pets do so many wonderful things; from fuzzy friends to emotional supports. We invited our guests to share how having a pet or service animal has improved their quality of life while l…
HIV and substance use: Marty’s story
Marty is a woman who is loved, with a job and family, who also uses crack cocaine. In this episode, Marty discusses her experience as a person who uses drugs, its repercussions, and both the pull and…
HIV and substance use: Fred’s story
Like many, Fred’s substance use is a way to manage with trauma. In this episode, he describes how he uses drugs to cope with his emotional and physical pain, and the importance of compassion and harm…
Xica’s journey as a trans woman
Following Episode 2 on immigration, we take a deeper dive into Xica’s story of growing up in isolation and adversity. She shares her journey not only traveling from Honduras, but in finding her true …
Immigrating to Canada with HIV
The road to becoming Canadian comes with extra complexities when you live with HIV. Hear three stories of people who arrived in Canada as refugees: Miguel, Ower, and Xica, and how they navigated new…
Eric’s journey to a medically assisted death (MAID)
Three and a half years after being diagnosed with ALS, Eric chose medical assistance in dying (or MAID) at Casey House. Listen as Eric reflects on his past, the lead up to his decision, and how MAID…
Season 2 trailer
Casey House's podcast, Positively Speaking, returns for season 2 to share more stories from those living with HIV. This season we will be discussing medical assistance in dying (MAID), immigration, t…
Living positively with HIV
The last episode of season 1 ends on an encouraging note; you'll hear from guests Robert, Kenneth, Eliot and Francois, who despite facing multiple challenges, have been able to find constructive new …
HIV and isolation
There are few medical conditions as stigmatizing as HIV/AIDS. Tell friends or family that you have cancer or diabetes and they often rally around you; tell them you are HIV+ and their responses can b…
HIV and housing
Toronto already has an affordable housing problem. Finding clean, safe, supportive and affordable housing for people living with HIV/AIDS experiencing physical, mental health and/or substance use iss…
HIV and mental health
Guests share their experiences with mental health: the shock and impact of the HIV diagnosis; how substance use is sometimes a coping mechanism; the challenges of accessing appropriate mental health …
HIV and relationships
Guests Jean, Greg, Phil and Alberto describe how living with HIV has impacted their relationships. For some it has strengthened them, for others, it has forced them to examine their needs, values and…
Season 1 trailer
Hear about the episodes in season 1 of Positively Speaking, Casey House's new podcast. Topics for the first season include: HIV and long-term survivors, relationships, mental health, housing, isolati…
HIV and long-term survivors
The premier episode tells the stories of long-term survivors, people who have been living with HIV for over 25 years. Guests Allan, John, Rod, Murray and Muluba tell us about the early days of the ep…