Holding On

This episode was originally published on June 21, 2019.

Soon after Paris's Notre-Dame Cathedral burned, a global fundraiser was launched to rebuild it. The effort sparked debate among those who believed in preserving the historic structure, and those who contend we should move on and use the money for other needs. 

This week, Piya dives into that tension, asking: What's worth holding onto... even when it's almost gone?

Here are the stories from this week's episode...

Members of Hindu temple destroyed by fire plan to raise funds for Notre-Dame

In the days after 9/11, Subhash Dighe's Hindu temple burned down in Hamilton, Ontario. A multi-faith community rallied to rebuild it, including members of Javid Mirza's Muslim mosque, which had also been attacked. They both speak with Piya about how their experience informed their belief that Notre-Dame too should be rebuilt, and inspired a local fundraising effort to help.

Newfoundlander's house burns down during recent CBC Radio interview

Last year, Piya conducted an interview with Anne Marie Hagan about her father's brutal murder, and reconciling with his killer. After she left the St. John's studio, she got a phone call, learning her house and business had burned to the ground. Initially, she vowed to rebuild. Piya catches up with her to hear whether she did, and how she so often manages to hold onto hope amid tragedy.

Searching for ways to hold on after leaving outport Newfoundland

In February, the Newfoundland and Labrador town of Little Bay Islands voted to relocate. Resettlement of outport communities has a controversial and deeply emotional past in the province. Piya explores how people have tried to hold on to their homes, and how moving has brought salvation with Cindy Billard, whose town of Grand Bruit relocated a decade ago.

Why a scientist is dedicated to preserving a spider that serves no known purpose to the ecosystem

Today's dire state of biodiversity has led conservationists to essentially triage, attempting to tally which species are most important to save. And while there's no evidence an extremely rare spider called the horrid ground-weaver does much at all to ensure our survival, Andrew Whitehouse is determined to preserve it. Piya finds out why the heck that's worth the effort.