Almost 107

Get real people. Get real matters. Get real with the 'Almost 107' podcast! Nothing is off limits. Fanshawe College journalism students bring you voices and stories from London, Ontario and beyond to inform, educate and entertain. 'Almost 107' is original news and views content. It's an extension of work produced for 106.9 The X (CIXX-FM). Check out more stories on our website 1069TheX.com and follow us on X-Twitter @1069TheX

Why we Continue to Dance

People don’t really know why or when people started to dance, some theories suggest that it could have been one of the first ways humans communicated with each other, or it could have started as a celebration ritual. We’ll never know why we started dancing in the first place but we can ask why people continue to dance! Joshua Chen sat down with Michelle Corredor, a dancer for BRDRless studios to talk about cultural dancing, competitive dancing, and why dancing is important to her.

12-28
18:07

The resurgence of physical media; a trend or the future norm?

Is the future of entertainment going back to the roots buying physical rather than digital?

12-28
17:48

A Fresh Look at Second-Hand Clothing

In this episode of Almost 107, we explore the growing world of thrifting why it’s becoming so popular, how it helps the environment, and what really happens to donated clothes. Joined by fashion designer Cameron Lang, we break down the basics in simple, real-life terms: how to spot good-quality items, why older clothes can last longer, and how thrifting reduces waste while supporting local communities. Whether you’re a regular thrift shopper or someone who’s never walked into a second-hand store before, this episode offers practical tips, surprising insights, and a new way of thinking about the clothes we buy. Tune in and discover how small changes in your shopping habits can make a big difference for your wallet and for the planet.

12-21
15:57

Every Door Open: A Peek Inside the Public Library

In this episode, host Margaret Laver explores the role public libraries play in Canadian communities today. It features conversations with London Public Library CEO Michael Ciccone and Hamilton library users Rich and Anne. Through their experiences, the episode explores how libraries support residents through free resources, technology, community programs, and welcoming public spaces for people of all ages.

12-21
17:46

Blue Christmas

In this episode of Almost 107, our host Naomi covers grieving the death of a loved one during the “most wonderful time of the year". They speak to a local author who lost both her parents, and a Master’s student with both professional and academic grief experience to learn more about how someone can survive a blue Christmas.

12-21
17:26

Fashion As A Tool For Queer Liberation

In this episode of Almost 107, our host Naomi covers queer fashion and what it means to stand out from gender norms in Western society. They speak to a professor from Western University, a local Fashion Designer, and Master's Student in Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies to learn more about how the rules of fashion are being broken and the history that has impacted modern fashion trends.

12-14
17:23

Finding Home again: Colombian immigrant youth experience

In this episode of Almost 107, host Daniel Monroy explores the emotional and often challenging journey of South American youth immigrating to Canada through the personal story of Tomás, a 21-year-old Colombian who has lived in Canada for nearly six years. Tomás opens up about his life in Colombia, growing up in a humble neighborhood, attending a makeshift school, and watching his family struggle with unstable, unfair working conditions. He recalls how economic pressure and his mother’s health pushed his family to take a risk and start over in Canada. He describes the painful process of leaving home at just 15. Tomás reflects on the reality of adapting to a new culture: the loneliness, the fear of being bullied, struggling with English. As he looks to the future, Tomás is honest about his uncertainty. Though he appreciates Canada’s safety and stability, he dreams of eventually living elsewhere. This episode highlights resilience, cultural identity, and the quiet sacrifices young immigrants make as they rebuild their lives far from where they were born.

12-14
17:38

Is Sneaker Culture Dying?

In this episode of Almost 107, Fanshawe College journalism student Daniel Monroy investigates a question circulating across headlines, forums, and feeds: Is sneaker culture actually dying? Daniel traces the evolution of sneakers from the 1800s invention of vulcanized rubber to the rise of Nike, Adidas, Air Jordans, and the Yeezy era. He breaks down how drop culture, scarcity marketing, celebrity collaborations, and resale platforms shaped an industry that peaked between 2020 and 2022—before crashing into today’s cooling hype and oversaturated market. To understand the decline locally, Daniel visits N4E1, the last remaining sneaker boutique in London, Ontario, where owner Kish reflects on overproduction, declining quality, rising prices, the surge of high-quality replicas, and the “full circle” return to a pre-hype era when Jordans sat on shelves. The episode also features London rapper and fashion enthusiast 2Divine, who offers a cultural lens on reps, shifting style trends, and the evolving relationship between sneakers, hip-hop, and youth identity. Together, their insights reveal a complex landscape: fading hype, a changing consumer base, and an industry struggling with inflation and oversupply—yet still capable of rebirth. As Daniel concludes, sneaker culture isn’t gone; it’s resetting, waiting for its next spark.

12-14
18:00

The Culture of a Galaxy Far Far Away

XFM's Jayden Davis talks with Fanshawe film professor John Plantus about Star Wars, it's community and what makes it special. Fanshawe's Advanced Filmmaking Program Coordinator talks about the creator perspective when making movies.

12-14
16:30

Does League of Legends have a future in North America?

League of Legends has continually been one of the worlds biggest video games and esports titles for close to a decade now. Over the years League of Legends has gone through multiple ups and downs, which include major sports teams like the Golden State Warriors investing in a pro league team, crypto sponsorships, and the hit show Arcane. Over the games lifespan, North America has yet to win a World Championship and many fans are getting tired of watching their teams lose which eventually affected how popular the game became. Joshua Chen, sat down with Ijlaal “Scalar” Abdali a former player for the Western league of legends team who is currently their coach, and Mustafa “Randomcandy” Keskin who also played alongside scalar and currently is the coach for the Fanshawe Fuel League of legends team. We talked about what its like to play professionally, why we fall so far behind compared to Asia in competition, and if league of legends even has a future in North America.

12-08
17:47

A deep dive into London's drag scene

Take a look into the world of London's local drag scene featuring performers such as Double D Lilah and God Forbid

12-07
16:49

The Soul of Forest City's Sound

XFM's Jayden Davis got a chance to talk to Brent Jackson, lead singer and songwriter for "The Sunshine Makers", as well as Sam Allen, the lead singer and songwriter for "Run Coyote". In this episode we discuss the music scene in London, and how community and support affect the art.

12-07
18:09

Getting into Dungeons and Dragons

This episode of Almost 107 breaks down how to get into Dungeons & Dragons without the confusion or intimidation. Host Margaret Laver speaks with two guests: Ewan Dekker, a young Dungeon Master who’s been running games for nearly half his life, and Morgan Corvidae, a long-time player and DM with over 14 years of tabletop roleplaying experience. They explain what D&D really is, how to find a group, what you actually need to start playing, and why the game means so much to the people who love it.

11-30
16:47

Are Horror Movies Getting Scarier

Are Horror Movies Getting Scarier! In this episode well explore the journey to what horror movies are today and the elements it takes to create them and what it takes to scare their audience.

11-30
20:00

Is generation alpha slang changing English?

This episode analyzes the abundance of slang used by generation alpha (those born starting in the early 2010s). With the great amount of slang, it feels like they are talking another language. We will talk with Professor Richard Moll from the University of Western Ontario to talk about how English has evolved. With that Information we can then investigate and decipher if the English language is changing from generation alpha.

11-23
13:10

Women In Music

As the music industry remains a boys' club, host Lexi Saldana explores the barriers and struggles women in the industry face--from being overlooked in creative roles to fighting for respect and recognition. Featuring lead singer Konejo Girum of Lua Sol and singer-songwriter and Fanshawe College Music Industry Arts alumni Meaghan Bender, this episode highlights the voices pushing for equality, ownership, and cultural representation in music.

11-23
18:13

First love, does it ever leave?

Join host Melissa Ghanoum as she talks with 20-year-old Dalan Frook, who shares how his first love shaped him long after it ended, and Jennifer Slay, a life coach and counselor who explains why we never truly forget our first love and how heartbreak can lead to healing. It’s a heartfelt look at the kind of love that changes us, stays with us, and teaches us who we are.

11-23
18:02

How technology has lead to a decline in reading

In this episode, we will talk about how technology has lead to a decline in traditional reading. Carmi Levy, Emma Duerden and others will contribute to this story.

11-16
16:16

Fanshawe students share their 2026 resolution

My 2026 goal is to fix my sleep schedule. I’ve been staying up too late on my phone, and it leaves me tired, slow, and stressed the next day. This year, I want to sleep earlier, put my phone away at night, and wake up with more energy. Better sleep will help me focus, feel calmer, and enjoy my mornings again. Join me as I work on building a healthier routine for the new year!

11-16
16:30

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