Nanaimo Christian School teachers David Hossini and Shannon Gillespie recording their podcast. (submitted/Shannon Gillespie)

By Spencer Sterritt

listening in

Nanaimo teachers helping families relax with new podcast

Mar 30, 2020 | 7:03 AM

NANAIMO — A new podcast hopes to help families take their mind off the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Shannon Gillespie and David Hossini, teachers at Nanaimo Christian School, have recorded the “In the Middle Of” podcast since the second week of spring break began.

Each short episode, averaging 12 minutes, focuses on talking about different scenarios and what you’d do if you found yourself in the middle of it. The first episodes focused on being in the middle of a date, or what you would do if you heard a sound in the middle of the night.

Gillespie said it came together when she realized something needed to be done to prevent COVID-19 from taking over all of her conversations. The idea actually came to her when walking with Hossini’s wife.

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“We were trying to be super intentional about going for walks and not talking about COVID-19. We ended up talking about our first cars and random different details we didn’t know. I thought we’re probably not the only people who are finding all their conversations are absorbed by this.”

The podcast came together shortly after, recorded and edited each day to be put up shortly after.

Both Gillespie and Hossini said they hope the podcast helps families stay unified as life with the COVID-19 pandemic becomes more complicated.

Spring Break technically ends on Monday but students will be taught online and staying at home, which can present major disruptions for day-to-day life.

“I think there’s going to be lots of stress,” Gillespie said. “We hope it can be a piece where you’re not stressed, you’re just enjoying conversations and getting to know each other and building relationships.”

Even with only five episodes available online, Hossini said they’ve heard great response from families listening in.

“It was neat to hear families are talking about this and listening together,” he said. “It sounds like the response we were hoping for.”

Though the COVID-19 pandemic will at some point end, they said the podcast doesn’t have to and it would be great if they could continue the project.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit