Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran
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 discussions since 2018 to do exactly this. I invite guests involved in these areas to share with me their opinions. My hope is that through this natural exploration, I can craft a Podcast experience that attempts to build bridges during a time when we need it the most. Join me as I attempt to uncover these issues with true, genuine curiosity.
Episodes
223 episodes
#219 Decoding Climate Change: A Pragmatic Approach with Tom Knutson
In this episode, I am joined by climate expert Tom Knutson to explore the nuanced science of climate change, focusing on Atlantic hurricane patterns, extreme rainfall, and the complexities of climate modelling. Tom sheds light on the challenges...
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26:43
#218: Chloe Smellinck: Mental Health for Men and Social Pressures
Chloe Smellink and Christopher Balkaran explore a range of topics including political assumptions, media influence, LGBTQAI+ representation, and the importance of mental health, particularly for men. They discuss the societal pressures that sha...
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1:04:29
#217: Curious Mondays: Can True Free Speech Exist?
AUDIO BLOG of my NEWSLETTER:openminds.substack.comSUBSCRIBE/LIKE/COMMENT
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14:32
#216: Unpacking Historical Narratives with Professor Matthew Alan Sears
A bit of a different take: I engage in a deep conversation with Professor Matthew Alan Sears, a classical historian specializing in ancient Greek history. We explore the power of historical narratives, their influence on public memory, and how ...
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58:06
#215: Ethan Duggan, Take Back Canada - Examining Immigration and Corporate Interests
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 o...
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1:04:44
#214: Curious Mondays - What’s the Matter with Australia?
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, wh...
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8:25
#213: The Abraham Accords and Middle Eastern Geopolitics: US Ambassador Gerald Feierstein
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 t...
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50:03
#212: The Global Food Crisis: Sylvain Charlebois on Supply Chains and Geopolitics
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 tens...
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1:06:47
#212: The Canadian Dream through Representation: Lionel Loganathan
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 s...
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1:00:33
#211: The Spiral of Silence and How it's Terrible for Us, Christopher Balkaran
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 ...
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17:30
#210: Understanding Breast Implant Illness, Dr. Amanda Savage Brown
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 adv...
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1:05:36
#209: Joe Biden and Divisions Within the Democratic Party, Dr. Alison Dagnes
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...
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1:06:57
#208:The Impact of Chlorine on Water Quality, Dr. Angus Chu
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 t...
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1:02:21
#207: The Outrage Industry - Understanding Political Media with Dr. Jeffrey Berry
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 coun...
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58:55
#206: Instagram Debates with Open Minds: Christopher and Isidora on Respectful Disagreement
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 t...
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1:52:25
#205: Echo Chambers and Media Consumption, Dr. Alison Dagnes
Subscribe to Curious Mondays, My Weekly Newsletter!I sit down with Dr. Alison Dagnes, a political science professor a...
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1:04:25
#204: A Mother's Battle - Navigating the Opioid Crisis with Correne Antrobus
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 add...
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1:07:13
#203: Why Safe Injection Sites Matter: An Interview with Professor Mark Tyndall
00:00 - Introduction and Background of Dr. Mark Tyndall03:25 - The Importance of Harm Reduction in Treating Substance Use05:58 - The Impact of Drug Use on Brain Rewiring12:03 - Evaluating the Effectiveness of Supervised Inj...
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1:00:05
#202: Dr. Julian Somers - Harm Reduction as a Public Policy Response?
00:00 -Understanding Opiate Use Disorder03:15 - The Link Between Opiate Use Disorder and Theft06:12 - The Impact of Crime on Community Upheaval and Safety30:29 - The High Cost of Supporting Individuals with Opiate Use Disor...
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1:03:16
#201: Dr. Ramona Coelho: The Dangers Of Medical Assistance in Dying
00:00Introduction and Dr. Coelho's Work with Marginalized Patients03:23The Importance of Community and Non-Medical Factors in Recovery05:14Examples of Recovery Without Medical Improvement08:13The Intersectio...
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1:01:25
#200: Dr. Karen Neufeld and Dr. Jack Haggerty, Beyond the Verdict: Navigating MAID and Mental Health
SummaryDr. 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 t...
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1:03:51
#199: Susan Desjardins, Dying with Dignity Canada and the Misinformation on MAiD
Subscribe to my Newsletter:https://substack.com/@openminds?utm_source=profile-pageSubscribe to my Insta: @openmindspodThe conversation explores the misinformation and mischaracterization surrounding medical assistance in dyi...
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56:12