Slice of PI

Take a quick peek at what is coming in the penultimate episode of the season, when Rick is joined but Dr. Genevieve Currie as they look at how narrative can help to reframe our understanding of rare and complex health conditions.   Slice of PI is supported by Pharming

This week Rick returns to northern Norway, by way of Zoom to explore a paper of Dr Blix’s that explores the story of Inga, a Sami woman who tells of her experience as a child being asked to move to the south by a teacher in her community. The reaction of her mother to this offer, and its impact in Inga’s life offer insight into the power of culture in creating the conditions for the best health outcomes. There were also resonances with Dr Bodil’s own journey with her Sami Culture. Better health outcomes are more than the best diagnostic tools - stories heal as well.Guest: Dr. Bodil Blix

Take a quick peek at what is to come on next week's episode as Rick returns to northern Norway, by way of Zoom to explore a paper of guest Dr Bodil Blix’s. Better health outcomes are more than the best diagnostic tools - stories heal as well.Slice of PI Season 4 is supported by Pharming

 In this episode, Rick will examine what it means to employ playfulness in narrative inquiry settings. In particular, what it looks like to remain attentive to a sense of uncertainty, and to remain open to surprise as well as the necessity and possibilities of playfulness in narrative care with older adults. Slice of PI is supported by Pharming

Have a listen what is coming up in next week's episode when host Rick is joined by  Dr. Charlotte Berendonk and Dr Vera Caine and discuss playfulness

In this episode, Rick will explore the many ways silence plays a role in Narrative inquiry. Dr Blix is Sami, an indigenous culture from north of the Arctic Circle in Norway. She wasn’t aware of her Sami heritage due to her family's reticence to speak about it. Norway, like Canada, has a history of removing Sami children from their culture. Silence in family structures can be very complicated, and Rick has always seen silence as a barrier to truth and better health. Dr Blix helps to make silence a little less black and white. In fact, Dr Blix helps Rick understand that silence, not silencing, can be an act of care.Slice of PI is supported by Pharming

Listen to a what is coming up in next week's episode when Rick talks to guest Dr. Bodil Blix.  

This week Rick speaks with Albert Mcleaod, a first nations health advocate who shares the ways in which indigenous medicine, when used alongside western medicine, improves future health outcomes. He offers his experiences with beading workshops that were held on Zoom during the pandemic and the stories that heal when there is space.Slice of PI is made with support from Pharming

Take a sneak peek at what's to come next week when Rick speaks with guest Albert Mcleaod, a first nations health advocate.  Slice of PI is made with support from Pharming

Part 2: Rick and Vera discover what drew Dr Caine to Narrative Health. They also introduce aspects of narrative enquiry including: the role of silence, playfulness, and relational ethics. Many of the themes of the following episodes will be introduced here. Of particular interest is an experience Dr Caine had as an oncology patient that brings into focus how simple it can be to employ narrative health and improve outcomes.Part 2 of 2Slice of PI is made possible with support from Pharming

Take a listen at what is coming in next week's episode, part 2 of last week's episode where Rick and Vera look at the history of narrative health and wrap up their discussion with guest Dr. Caine. This podcast is brought with support from Pharming

Join host, Rick, and his guest Vera in part 2 of this episode as they finish discussing narrative health. Many of the themes that will be discussed in upcoming episodes will be introduced in this episode. They will discuss things like what is the narrative we build in our own healthcare journey? What is the story being told? Is it being built by the players and why that is important? And of course, what is narrative inquiry and narrative health? Part 2 of 2This podcast is supported by Pharming

Take a listen to what is coming up next week in part two of episode two as Rick and Vera discuss experience and shaping narrative in your health journey. 

Join host, Rick, and his guest Vera as they dive into Rick’s experience, as unaware as it was, with narrative health. Many of the themes that will be discussed in upcoming episodes will be introduced in this episode. They will discuss things like what is the narrative we build in our own healthcare journey? What is the story being told? Is it being built by the players and why that is important? And of course, what is narrative inquiry and narrative health? Part 1 of 2This podcast is supported by Pharming

Take a listen to what is coming next week as Rick is joined by his first guest and then explore the theme of this season of Slice of PIPart 1 of 2

Join us for Season 4 of "Slice of PI", an ImmUnity Canada podcast. In this introductory episode your new host, Rick, welcomes you to join him on the exciting and interesting journey ahead and gives a brief overview of what is to come this season as he explores the theme of narrative health. This is a season you will not want to miss. ImmUnity Canada gives thanks to our friends at Pharming, for their support of this podcast.

Immunity Canada's podcast "Slice of PI" is back for another season! Listen to the trailer for the upcoming Season 4 of Slice of PI with new host, Rick Waines as he takes you on a new journey of narrative health. Listen to the full episode on Friday January 9, 2026. Slice of PI is brought to you through support by Pharming. 

Join Andrea as she says goodbye to another season of Slice of PI! In this episode Andrea will look at some key takeaways from the season, highlights and messages from and for the PI community. 

Make sure to join us this week when Andrea says goodbye to another season of Slice of PI. 

This week, Andrea looks at the important role that research nurse coordinators play in clinical trials. What support can they offer? How does their work impact patients and families with PI? What role do they play in the medical field and why are they so important? Join Andrea and her guest, Jordyn Arnold as they discuss this topic and this little known area. Season 3 is supported by Pharming

Take a listen to what is coming up in the next episode of Slice of PI when host, Andrea, looks at the importance of the research nurse coordinator role when it comes to clinical trials.  Guest: Jordyn ArnoldSeason 3 is supported by Pharming

This week on Slice of PI, Andrea looks at the challenges pregnancy and childbirth poses to the primary immunodeficiency community. Join Andrea as she tackles topics of genetic counselling and IVF, and how these are and can be supported in Canada. This week's guest is Jennifer DiRaimo, a genetic counsellor and researcher with the Platelet Disorder Support Association. Season 3 is supported by Pharming

Take a quick listen to what's coming up next on Slice of PI in episode 9: Pregancy and Childbirth, from genetic counselling to IVFSeason 3 is supported by Pharming

Join Andrea and special guest MP Matt Jeneroux for a Slice of PI Movember episode on Men's Mental Health. In this episode they will discuss breaking the stigma of men's mental health and the awareness that is needed to create safe spaces for men in everyday places.Season 3 is supported by Pharming

Take a quick listen to what's coming up next as Andrea is joined for a special Movember episode by MP Matt Jeneroux to talk about Men's Mental Health. Season 3 is supported by Pharming

Join Andrea and her guest clinical immunologist, Dr Julia Upton, as they discuss a rare and underdiagnosed primary immunodeficiency, APDS. Would you know the signs, symptoms and what to look for? Season 3 is supported by Pharming

Take a look at what is coming next week in episode 8, "APDS"Season 3 is supported by Pharming

This week, Andrea looks at the ins and outs of supporting patients and their families including the planning and emotional strategies. Join her as she explores why professionals such as social workers and child life specialists are so necessary in a holistic approach to care. This week's guests include Danielle Sikora and Stephanie Wanner. Season 3 is supported by Pharming

Take a look at the next episode, "Social workers and child life specialists; the importance of a holistic approach"Season 3 is supported by Pharming

This week, Andrea talks to two experts, Dr. Thierry Lacaze and Breanne Stewart from RareKids CAN, about the importance of clinical trials for rare disease patients and families in Canada and what they are doing to change things. Season 3 is supported by Pharming

Take a listen to what is coming up in the next episode of Slice of PI, "Clinical Trials in Canada"Season 3 is supported by Pharming

Can DNA be made into music? In this episode, Andrea talks to two researchers at the University of Alberta who are doing just that. Listen and find out how music composed by converting protein sequences or genes to musical notes can impact the PI community.Part 2 of 2 Season 3 is supported by Pharming

Trailer for episode 5Season 3 is supported by Pharming

Can DNA be made into music? In this episode, Andrea talks to two researchers at the University of Alberta who are doing just that. Listen and find out how music composed by converting protein sequences or genes to musical notes can impact the PI community.Part 1 of 2 episodesSeason 3 is supported by Pharming

Trailer for episode 4, part 1Season 3 is supported by Pharming

Gene therapy seems to be everywhere right now. But what is gene therapy? What is happening in Canada with gene therapy? And more importantly, what is happening in other countries that can teach us to create a sustainable solution for children with ultra-rare diseases to access novel gene therapies?In this episode, Andrea talks to Dr. Claire Booth, a pioneer in gene therapy in Europe to answer some of these questions. Season 3 is supported by Pharming

Trailer episode 3Season 3 is supported by Pharming

What are patient registries? Why are they important and why should patients and caregivers care about about them? How can they impact patient care? Is there a patient registry for primary immunodeficiency in Canada? This week, Andrea talks to Dr. Beata Derfalvi as they answer some of these questions and also look at what Canada can learn from other countries. Season 3 is supported by Pharming

Trailer for episode 2Season 3 supported by Pharming

Andrea is back with another season of Slice of PI! In this episode, host Andrea Fernandez de Soto, looks at what is in store over for listeners this season in Slice of PI. Season 3 is supported by Pharming

Slice of PI is back for Season 3! Trailer for Episode 1, Intro to Season 3Season 3 is supported by Pharming

In the season finale for season 2, Andrea shares her final thoughts as well as reflects on the past episodes.

Take a listen to what is coming up in the final episode of "Slice of PI" season 2.

In the penultimute episode, Andrea looks at the importance of self-care, parenting and fun. Experts this week are mental health worker, Bryan Curley and father to an ADA SCID daughter, Jeff. 

Take a listen to Friday's episode where Andrea will discuss  the importance of self-care, parenting and fun. Experts this week are mental health worker, Bryan Curley and father to an ADA SCID daughter, Jeff. 

This week, Andrea looks at the impact of foundations, the role organizations play when it comes to support for patients and families with PI. Guests this week: Heather Smith from SCID Angels for Life and patient and parent, Martine Allard. 

Take a listen to next week's episode where Andrea discusses the important role that foundations play for families and patients with PI.

This week Andrea explores how we can transform our journey through creativity and other ways to give back. Special guests this week: Expert: Luz Adriana Manozca and paren, Funda Eyupoglu.