Behind the Review
Updated: Oct 22, 2025
"Behind the Review" is a podcast series that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the journalistic work produced by the Review of Journalism contributors.
Just a little about the magazine, established in 1984, by founder and former chair of the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Journalism Don Obe, the Review of Journalism was conceived with the goal of casting a discerning eye on the Canadian journalism industry by questioning the its faults, celebrating its successes, and ultimately determining how Canadian journalists can (and must) do better moving forward.
To this day, the magazine, along with its website and podcast, are produced by graduate and undergraduate students at Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Journalism in their final year, with the support of faculty and industry professionals.
During my time at the "Review of Journalism", from January 2025 to April 2025, I was the host of "Behind the Review" and I helped edit some of our episodes—a role I greatly enjoyed as it allowed me to get to know my peers a bit better, in terms of the kinds of stories and topics that interested them, and it also helped me develop a firm sense of what the Review of Journalism as a publication was all about, and why such stories need to be told now.
**Please note that because these episodes were recorded during the Winter 2025 semester, the contributors who took part in these interviews (including myself as host) are no longer part of the Review of Journalism's staff, and as such their guest bios do not include whatever current positions they may hold as well as experience they gained since their time at the Review.
Copyright Disclaimer: These podcast episodes as well as any correlating information and visuals are the property of the Review of Journalism.
Behind the Review – S1E1 – Don’t Read the Comments with Jay Ashdown
Evan Zeller interviews Jay Ashdown about his 2025 Review feature on journalists who cover social justice issues who are frequently subjected to online hate and tech facilitated harassment.
Guest Bio
Jay Ashdown is a final-year journalism student serving as one of our masthead’s Heads of Research. He has worked at Ricochet Media and The Eyeopener, and occasionally dabbles in film critique for Met Radio. Passionate about journalism with a focus on social justice. He believes strong reporting has the power to upend the status quo.
You can read Jay's feature here.
Music credits
music by JoshWales – Peaceful Podcast Intro from Pixabay
music by JoshWales – Chillout Podcast Intro from Pixabay
Behind the Review – S1E2 – Pride and Politics with Matthew Hanick
Evan Zeller interviews Matthew Hanick about his 2025 Review feature on the polarization of queer representation in the media landscape, and how after working in a predominantly conservative space as a queer journalist, he began the process of rediscovering his voice.
Guest Bio
Matthew Hanick is a final-year Master of Journalism student serving as our masthead’s Front-of-Book editor. He’s also the Poetry Editor at the White Wall Review, and Chief Copy Editor at The Otter. His writing has appeared in Spacing, the Review of Journalism, National Post, CanCulture, and more.
You can read Matthew's feature here.
Music credits
music by JoshWales – Peaceful Podcast Intro from Pixabay
music by JoshWales – Chillout Podcast Intro from Pixabay
Behind the Review – S1E3 – Out of the Spotlight with Neda Madany
Evan Zeller interviews Neda Madany about her 2025 Review feature on the lack of visibility of Canadian fashion in mainstream media. She notes the importance of events like Fashion Art Toronto, the impact of U.S. tariffs on promoting local designers, and the need for in-depth reporting to showcase their stories.
You can read Neda 's feature here.
Guest Bio
Neda is a final-year journalism student who served as the Review’s columns editor. She is currently the Co-Director of the StyleCircle podcast, a writer at HUES Magazine and an intern at FASHION Magazine. She is passionate about fashion, arts and culture storytelling.
Music credits
music by JoshWales – Peaceful Podcast Intro from Pixabay
music by JoshWales – Chillout Podcast Intro from Pixabay
Behind the Review – S1E4 – Shireen Ahmed, Beyond the Pitch with Soraya El-Houni
Evan Zeller chats with Soraya El-Houni about her 2025 Review profile on Shireen Ahmed, a multiplatform journalist, a senior contributor with CBC Sports, a public speaker, and an award-winning sports activist focusing on the intersections of race and gender in sports.
Guest Bio
Soraya is a final-year Master of Journalism student who served on the 2024-2025 Review’s audience and engagement team. She has written for Toronto Life, SEASON Zine and Darby Magazine. She is interested in long-form writing, sports, culture, and social justice.
You can read Soraya's feature here.
Music credits
music by JoshWales – Peaceful Podcast Intro from Pixabay
music by JoshWales – Chillout Podcast Intro from Pixabay
Behind the Review – S1E5 – Behind the Series with Evan Zeller and Chloe Kim
Evan Zeller chats with Chloe Kim, 2024-2025 podcast director, about her 2025 Review feature on the challenges of including local voices in international reporting. Chloe also flips the mic on Evan to discuss everything behind Behind the Review (at 5:45).
Guest Bio
Chloe Kim was the podcast director and a senior editor for the 2024-2025 masthead.
You can read Chloe's feature here.
Music credits
music by JoshWales – Peaceful Podcast Intro from Pixabay
music by JoshWales – Chillout Podcast Intro from Pixabay
**You can read the rest of the features that appeared in our Spring 2025 issue here. Many thanks to all of the Review's amazing contributors!
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