Imagine if you could explore, with genuine curiosity, the most controversial and divisive topics of our time. The conversations would push you to explore new areas and uncover insightful ‘a-ha’ moments that pique your interest. These talks could help answer the questions you may have, like: why would anyone support capital punishment? Or, what are the pros and cons to tobacco control, or public healthcare, or legalizing sex work? I’m Christopher, and I have created engaging Podcast discussio ...
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#215: Ethan Duggan, Take Back Canada - Examining Immigration and Corporate Interests
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Send us a text I sit down with Ethan, founder of Take Back Canada, to delve into the motivations behind the movement, the complexities of Canada’s immigration policies, and the influence of corporate interests on government decisions. Ethan shares his views on the need to reassess the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and reflects on the broader imp…
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#214: Curious Mondays - What’s the Matter with Australia?
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Send us a Text Message. In this episode, I dive into the creeping surveillance state emerging in Australia and explore how fear and crisis drive governments to implement draconian measures that chip away at civil liberties. We examine the pivotal 2014 Sydney Siege, which catalyzed sweeping changes in Australia’s security laws, and discuss how psych…
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#213: The Abraham Accords and Middle Eastern Geopolitics: US Ambassador Gerald Feierstein
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Send us a text Christopher interviews Ambassador Jerry Feierstein, a veteran diplomat and Middle East expert, to explore the intricacies behind the Abraham Accords. They discuss the historical context, economic motivations, and security dynamics that led to the normalization of relations between Israel and several Arab states. The conversation delv…
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#212: The Global Food Crisis: Sylvain Charlebois on Supply Chains and Geopolitics
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1:06:47
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Send us a Text Message. Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, a leading expert in food distribution and policy discusses major issues COVID brought in. Sylvain discusses the challenges faced by supply chains, the politicization of food inflation, and the impact of geopolitical tensions on global food security. The conversation also touches on the role of grocery…
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#212: The Canadian Dream through Representation: Lionel Loganathan
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Send us a Text Message. Lionel Loganathan’s family immigrated to Canada from Sri Lanka in 1985, escaping the civil war and genocide that plagued their homeland. His father, a limousine driver, worked tirelessly to provide for the family, embodying the resilience and sacrifice common among immigrant families. Loganathan’s upbringing in Scarborough a…
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#211: The Spiral of Silence and How it's Terrible for Us, Christopher Balkaran
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Send us a Text Message. Friends - a quick episode introducing the concept of the 'Spiral of Silence'. The Spiral of Silence Theory, proposed by Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann, suggests that individuals may be less likely to express their opinions if they perceive that they are in the minority, due to fear of isolation or social rejection. This can lead t…
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#210: Understanding Breast Implant Illness, Dr. Amanda Savage Brown
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Send us a text Breast implants have been a popular cosmetic procedure since the 1960s. Initially, the silicone used in these implants was more liquid, but today’s implants are more viscous, often referred to as “gummy bear” implants. Despite technological advancements, the body often reacts to these foreign objects with an immune response, forming …
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#209: Joe Biden and Divisions Within the Democratic Party, Dr. Alison Dagnes
1:06:57
1:06:57
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Send us a text In this conversation, Christopher Balkaran and Alison discuss the recent political events, including Joe Biden's presidency, the attempted assassination on Donald Trump, and the Democratic Party's internal dynamics. They explore the pressure on Biden to step down, the loyalty of his advisors, and the impact of polling data on his dec…
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#208:The Impact of Chlorine on Water Quality, Dr. Angus Chu
1:02:21
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Send us a Text Message. Water quality is an important topic for Canadians to be aware of, as there are misconceptions about the abundance of fresh water in the country. Water quality is governed by federal and provincial agencies in Canada, with regulations in place to ensure public health and protect water resources. Chlorine is commonly used as a…
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#207: The Outrage Industry - Understanding Political Media with Dr. Jeffrey Berry
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Send us a text Dr. Berry delves into the role of social media in exacerbating political polarization, describing how algorithms create echo chambers that amplify extreme viewpoints. He highlights the importance of media literacy and quality journalism in countering misinformation and fostering a more informed public. The episode also explores the c…
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#206: Instagram Debates with Open Minds: Christopher and Isidora on Respectful Disagreement
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1:52:25
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Send us a Text Message. Christopher and Isidora discuss their unique approach to engaging in respectful conversations despite their differing perspectives. They explore the reasons behind political polarization, the use of violent lexicon in political discourse, and the challenges of gender-affirming care. They also discuss the need for more open c…
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#205: Echo Chambers and Media Consumption, Dr. Alison Dagnes
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Send us a text Subscribe to Curious Mondays, My Weekly Newsletter! I sit down with Dr. Alison Dagnes, a political science professor at Shippensburg University and author of insightful books on political media. Dr. Dagnes shares her unique experiences, starting with her time as a producer for C-SPAN, and delves into the evolution of political media …
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#204: A Mother's Battle - Navigating the Opioid Crisis with Correne Antrobus
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Send us a Text Message. In this episode, I chat with Correne Antrobus, a dedicated advocate and member of Mom Stop the Harm, to explore the harrowing realities of the opioid crisis through her lived experience. Correne shares the personal journey of her daughter’s addiction, the challenges of seeking help, and the systemic gaps in addressing substa…
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#203: Why Safe Injection Sites Matter: An Interview with Professor Mark Tyndall
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Send us a Text Message. 00:00 - Introduction and Background of Dr. Mark Tyndall 03:25 - The Importance of Harm Reduction in Treating Substance Use 05:58 - The Impact of Drug Use on Brain Rewiring 12:03 - Evaluating the Effectiveness of Supervised Injection Sites 16:02 - Challenges in Engaging Substance Users in Harm Reduction 24:07 - The Impact of …
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#202: Dr. Julian Somers - Harm Reduction as a Public Policy Response?
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Send us a text 00:00 -Understanding Opiate Use Disorder 03:15 - The Link Between Opiate Use Disorder and Theft 06:12 - The Impact of Crime on Community Upheaval and Safety 30:29 - The High Cost of Supporting Individuals with Opiate Use Disorder 36:43 - The Importance of Stable Housing and Community Connections 46:44 - Types of Housing and Their Imp…
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#201: Dr. Ramona Coelho: The Dangers Of Medical Assistance in Dying
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Send us a text 00:00 Introduction and Dr. Coelho's Work with Marginalized Patients 03:23 The Importance of Community and Non-Medical Factors in Recovery 05:14 Examples of Recovery Without Medical Improvement 08:13 The Intersection of Medical Assistance in Dying and Recovery 10:17 The Messaging and Impact of Medical Assistance in Dying 11:41 The Rol…
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#200: Dr. Karen Neufeld and Dr. Jack Haggerty, Beyond the Verdict: Navigating MAID and Mental Health
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Send us a Text Message. Summary Dr. Jack Haggerty and Dr. Karen Neufeld discuss the inclusion of irremediability in Bill C-7, which allows for medical assistance in dying (MAID) even if natural death is not reasonably foreseeable. They explain that this inclusion was compelled by case law, specifically the Truchon case. However, they express concer…
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#199: Susan Desjardins, Dying with Dignity Canada and the Misinformation on MAiD
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Send us a text Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://substack.com/@openminds?utm_source=profile-page Subscribe to my Insta: @openmindspod The conversation explores the misinformation and mischaracterization surrounding medical assistance in dying (MAID). It highlights the need for accurate data and nuanced discussions to counteract the sensationalism…
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#198: Jane Katkova, Navigating Canada's Immigration Maze
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Send us a text I'm Back!! Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://substack.com/@openminds?utm_source=profile-page Subscribe to my Insta: @openmindspod In this conversation, Jane discusses the process for international students who want to study in Canada. She highlights the financial considerations and challenges they face, including the high cost of t…
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#197: The "Leave Our Kids Alone Movement," Mahmoud Mourra
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Send us a text My discussion with Mahmoud Mourra on the protests against LGBTQ discussions in the classroom. Support the show Visit my Website: https://openmindspodcast.com/ Check out my Instagram/Tik Tok for daily posts: Instagram @openmindspod Tiktok @openmindspodcast Support the Show. Visit my NEW Website! https://www.christopherbalkaran.com Che…
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#196: Anti-LGBTQ Hate? Dean Lobo, Reenita V, The 519
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Send us a Text Message. LGBTQ issues have been in the news, particularly with more parents and concerned citizens worried about school curricula including discussions on gender fluidity and sexual orientation. I chat with Dean Lobo and Reenita V of the 519, a local non-profit in Toronto that works with the LGBTQ2+ community on these issues. Connect…
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#195: Glenn Blackett, Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms - Wokeism
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46:28
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Send us a Text Message. Petition to the Law Society of Alberta: https://www.change.org/p/get-politics-out-of-the-law-society-of-alberta?recruiter=1292735136&recruited_by_id=c75c5010-9907-11ed-b6c6-876123ba9012&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&pt=AVBldGl0aW9uADVRwAEAAAAAZLCEO0uX024yZjE2NDM1OQ%3D%3D&utm_conten…
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#194: Why Young Men and Remixed Racism with Jamil Jivani
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Send us a Text Message. -WATCH THIS INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE- My conversation with Jamil Jivani is available on YouTube - https://youtu.be/kCxLOvJFZHU?si=BwZ_EpUNLOgeUlW4 -SUPPORT THE OPEN MINDS PODCAST- 🛒 Support and Engage Now, you have a chance to be part of my massive endeavour of changing the world with each conversation!. Whether you're a listene…
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#193: Canada's Increasing Role in Your Digital Life, with Professor Michael Geist
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Send us a text Michael Geist is a prominent Canadian law professor and advocate for digital rights and freedoms. With his expertise in technology law and policy, he has been a vocal critic of government initiatives that threaten online freedom and privacy. Professor Geist shares his views on public concerns regarding policy development and the pote…
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#192: Exploring Climate Uncertainty and Risk with Professor Judith A. Curry
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59:47
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Send us a text Professor Judith A. Curry discusses her new book, "Climate Uncertainty and Risk." The conversation delves into the inadequacy of global climate models in predicting regional climate change and extreme weather events. Professor Curry sheds light on the inappropriate use of climate model output in shaping public policy decisions. The d…
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