Co-hosts Steve Johnson, student support advocate and Corrine Janzen, intake coordinator at wellness services chat during a recording of the Fearless Journeys: Thriving on Campus podcast on Nov. 17 in the Buchanan Library at Lethbridge Polytechnic.
In a small recording room nestled inside the Buchanan Library at Lethbridge Polytechnic lies the home of the “Fearless Journeys: Thriving on Campus” podcast. Tucked away in the calm corner of campus, Wellness Services faculty and students share stories about how they are finding support for mental health challenges.
“Fearless Journeys: Thriving on Campus” started in September 2023 and is now in its fifth season. Its premise is to highlight the challenges and successes of student life while promoting well-being and support. It is not a lecture but a conversation between students and faculty about real issues and the tools to address them. The podcast is co-hosted by Wellness Services team members Steve Johnson and Corrine Janzen who carefully craft themes based on the academic cycle and the needs they see emerging each semester.
Steve Johnson, student support advocate, says the podcast allows him to reach several students.
“Doing the podcast gives me work balance because it gets tedious sitting in the office all day,” says Johnson. “It also allows students to access Wellness Services outside of business hours.”
Episodes cover everything from exam anxiety and time management to friendships, culture shock, self-care and navigating loneliness. Many of the topics discussed on the podcast shape the student experiences more deeply than their assignments ever will.
One of the students behind the microphone is Adrian Allen, a second-year criminal justice student and Wellness Services ambassador. He credits the podcast with sharing beneficial information and resources with fellow students.
“Many of my peers are not aware of certain benefits available to them, communicating through the podcast gets that message out,” says Allen.
For many listeners, hearing another student express struggles like their own is the first step in feeling less isolated. While student voices drive each episode, the podcast is guided by the team that supports students every day. Co-host Corrine Janzen, intake coordinator at Wellness Services, works closely with students who reach out for help.
Her role behind the microphone reflects the calm and patient approach she brings to her day-to-day work.
“My favourite part about the podcast is having the difficult conversations and making them accessible to more people,” says Janzen.
Her experience gives her a unique understanding of the pressures that students take on and the barriers that sometimes stop them from seeking help.
Janzen and Johnson pre-record most of the episodes during the summer then interview students when the semester begins. The heart of the podcast is its ability to connect students to each other. Each episode blends relatable experiences with practical advice and emotional reassurance.
From challenges like burnout and budgeting to bigger conversations about identity, relationships and cultural adjustment, the podcast serves as a reminder that no student is navigating these pressures alone.
Today, “Fearless Journeys: Thriving on Campus” has become a key part of Lethbridge Polytechnic’s wellness culture. Episodes are available on the streaming platform, Podbean and students may find upcoming release dates on the school’s website. The show’s growing audience reflects that students are hungry for authentic stories and meaningful support.
For Adrian, Steve, Corrine and the many students who’ve stepped into the recording booth, the podcast represents a space where vulnerability is strength and sharing is healing.
Because in college, the hardest part of asking for help is often speaking up. “Fearless Journeys: Thriving on Campus” gives students a chance to speak and even more importantly, a place where someone is always listening.
