Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Belonging Forum Presents The Walrus Talks Reimagining Volunteerism took place on April 15, 2025, at the Toronto Reference Library.
Exploring the power of service to counter social isolation and civic polarization.
The growing trend of social isolation is one of the major challenges our world faces today. Studies show that the “loneliness epidemic” is causing significant harm to our physical and mental health and contributing to the troubling rise of polarization.
In this installment of our series on belonging, join us as we look at the power of volunteerism to build shared purpose, individual agency, and community cohesion. At The Walrus Talks Reimagining Volunteerism, seven speakers discussed the joys and benefits of service, as well as some of the barriers that keep us from giving more of our time.
00:00 Introduction
03:10 Kim Samuel, Founder, The Belonging Forum
08:46 Sara Lyons, Chief Strategy and Advancement Officer, Volunteer Canada
17:14 Susan Pinker, Developmental Psychologist, Columnist, Author of The Village Effect
25:40 Darrell Pinto, Director of Employment, Jumpstart Refugee Talent
31:51 Suman Roy, Founder and Executive Director, Feed Scarborough
39:18 Kasandra James, Director, Programs, Volunteer Toronto
48:31 Vinod Rajasekaran, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Future of Good
57:57 Cyndi Gilbert, Board Member and Logistics, The Bike Brigade
Browse our upcoming events schedule here: thewalrus.ca/events. And subscribe to The Walrus Events newsletter for updates and announcements: thewalrus.ca/conversation.
The Belonging Forum Presents The Walrus Talks Reimagining Volunteerism took place on April 15, 2025, at the Toronto Reference Library.
Exploring the power of service to counter social isolation and civic polarization.
The growing trend of social isolation is one of the major challenges our world faces today. Studies show that the “loneliness epidemic” is causing significant harm to our physical and mental health and contributing to the troubling rise of polarization.
In this installment of our series on belonging, join us as we look at the power of volunteerism to build shared purpose, individual agency, and community cohesion. At The Walrus Talks Reimagining Volunteerism, seven speakers discussed the joys and benefits of service, as well as some of the barriers that keep us from giving more of our time.
00:00 Introduction
03:10 Kim Samuel, Founder, The Belonging Forum
08:46 Sara Lyons, Chief Strategy and Advancement Officer, Volunteer Canada
17:14 Susan Pinker, Developmental Psychologist, Columnist, Author of The Village Effect
25:40 Darrell Pinto, Director of Employment, Jumpstart Refugee Talent
31:51 Suman Roy, Founder and Executive Director, Feed Scarborough
39:18 Kasandra James, Director, Programs, Volunteer Toronto
48:31 Vinod Rajasekaran, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Future of Good
57:57 Cyndi Gilbert, Board Member and Logistics, The Bike Brigade
Browse our upcoming events schedule here: thewalrus.ca/events. And subscribe to The Walrus Events newsletter for updates and announcements: thewalrus.ca/conversation.
