Journalism alum and CBC columnist Takara Small launches new investigative podcast series

Ryerson School of Journalism alumna Takara Small (external link, opens in new window)  has been transforming the tech industry one step at a time. She is currently the technology columnist for CBC’s Metro Morning, Canada’s number one radio show, and next week she debuts a new investigative podcast series, A Death in Cryptoland, about a crypto-tycoon, his secret past, and his mysterious death. 

Small is also the founder of VentureKids Canada (external link, opens in new window) , a non-profit aimed at providing technology and business skills access to underserved communities with the goal of diversifying Canada’s tech scene. 

CBC technology columnist and podcast producer

Small’s reporting work at the CBC covering technology has given her opportunities to report (external link, opens in new window)  on the booming, complex, difficult to regulate, and sometimes shady cryptocurrency sector. This experience has allowed Small to familiarize herself with podcasting and develop a skillset she is putting into practice with her new series. The new podcast centres around Vancouver-based cryptocurrency exchange Quadriga, which was found to be operating as a Ponzi scheme by the Ontario Securities Commission.

“I'm really lucky that I have worked with such amazing people who build and produce Metro Morning,” she said. “I talked about and analyzed the Quadriga story (external link, opens in new window)  with them when it happened in real-time so working on this podcast wasn't something that was new to me.” 

Small hopes A Death in Cryptoland inclines listeners to consider a critical perspective when it comes to technology and money. 

“I hope it opens people's eyes in Canada and around the world,” Small said. “Yes, there are some people making a lot of money but there are also people that have lost everything.” 

About VentureKids

Small has been interested in the technology industry since she was a journalism student and began seeing inequities in the tech industry, noticing that it started early on in people’s lives. This motivated her to found Toronto-based VentureKids Canada, a non-profit aimed at making technology accessible.

VentureKids Canada teaches youth how to code, launch their own business and become technologically literate. It has expanded exponentially since its inception in 2017 and has attracted students from communities all over Ontario, including Indigenous and POC youth. Small was recognized by Ryerson (opens in new window)  last year for her work with VentureKids Canada.

“There's a lot of inequity that exists when it comes to job security and job pay. The great thing about having in-demand digital skills in tech is that you can make quite a good living,” Small said. “There are many young people who are so talented and perhaps they didn't see themselves in a tech career, or they just couldn't afford to take the more expensive after-school programs that focus on teaching some of these critical digital skills.” 

Small took it upon herself to fill that gap and when she did, the response was immediate and positive.

“I think for a lot of people who are first-gen who are trying to find their way, this is a really great opportunity for them to uplift themselves in their community, she said”

Diversity in the tech industry

Small says she hopes to give youth the opportunity to eventually be an integral part of the tech industry. 

“Diversity of people in companies creates better product products. When we have diverse populations who are involved and working in these companies, it creates a better product and ensures that representation is part of inception,” Small said. “It's good for the tech community, but it's also great for Canadians as well.”

Career advice for students

For students soon entering the workforce, Small encourages them to be open-minded about opportunities that present themselves. 

“I think I've experienced a lot of highs in my career because I was open to trying new things. I could not have planned my career the way it's gone,” she said. “Be open to change, try new things, and don't get stuck on a narrow idea of what success is. People leave university and try new things, but they use the skills that they've learned from their degree to grow and thrive.”

A Death in Cryptoland (external link, opens in new window)  premieres on May 25 on CBC. 

Keep up with Small’s work with VentureKids Canada through the website (external link, opens in new window)  or on social media (external link, opens in new window) . 

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