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
234 episodes
#232: The War in Ukraine - What We're Not Saying, Paul Robinson
I sit down with Professor Paul Robinson — historian, author, and expert in Russian and Eastern European studies — to explore what lies beneath the dominant narratives of the Ukraine-Russia war. We cover everything from sanctions, NATO posturing...
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45:26
#231:The Truth Behind Ukraine’s War: Dr. Ivan Katchanovski, Media and Myths
Why does the Western narrative on Ukraine feel so one-sided? In this episode of the Open Minds Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Ivan Katchanovski, a Ukrainian-Canadian political scientist whose peer-reviewed research sheds a sobering light...
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56:43
#230: Canadians are in Favour of Capital Punishment - Mario Canseco, Research Co.
Interestingly, Canadians have shown their support for capital punishment almost 50 years of polling data. In 2025, Research Co. found that approximately 54 percent of Canadians agree with capital punishment, which has largely remained unchanged...
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42:46
#229: Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program - Fix or Problem? With Jason Foster
Christopher Balkaran dives into Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program with Professor Jason Foster from Athabasca University. We explore the realities of migrant labor, the economic dependency on foreign workers, and the...
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47:26
#228: Former Police Chief Peter Sloly - Understanding the Freedom Convoy
On the three-year anniversary of the Freedom Convoy, I sit down with former Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly to unpack the complexities of one of the most significant protests in modern Canadian history. From media narratives to the role of law ...
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55:09
#227: The Ethical Dilemmas of C0vid Pandemic Policies - Dr. Kerry Bowman
I sit down with Dr. Kerry Bowman, a Canadian bioethicist and environmentalist, to discuss the ethical implications of vaccine mandates and pandemic policies. We explore the balance between individual autonomy and collective responsibility, the ...
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42:42
#226: Medicine Men and Doctors: Common Challenges with Dr. Robert Klitzman
I sit down with Dr. Robert Klitzman—director of the Masters of Bioethics program at Columbia University—to delve into the complex intersections of medicine, ethics, and culture. In this episode, we explore fascinating stories from Papua New Gui...
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49:57
#225: Surveillance State: It's Here, Professor Rey Koslowski
How has border security evolved with technology? In this episode of the Open Minds Podcast, I sit down with Professor Rey Koslowski, a leading scholar on border control and migration.I explore how AI, drones, biom...
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51:35
#224: Men, Mental Health and the Silent Crisis - Chloe Smellink
I welcome back Chloe Smellink, psychotherapist-in-training, for a deep dive into men’s mental health, the stigma surrounding therapy, the troubling rise of MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) in Canada, and the broader societal issues affect...
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1:10:24
#223: Examining MAiD in Canada with Dr. Ramona Coelho
I sit down with Dr. Ramona Coelho to revisit the complex and controversial topic of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada. Dr. Coelho shares insights from recent Health Canada and Ontario coroner reports, revealing safety concerns, ethic...
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45:32
#222: The Real Impact of Mass Immigration and Guest Worker Visas: Jessica Vaughan, Center for Immigration Studies
I engage with Jessica Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, to break down the complexities and consequences of modern immigration policies. Jessica shares insights from her extensive experience in imm...
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1:01:55
#220: Multi-Decadal Hurricane Patterns: Part 2 with Tom Knutson
I continue my conversation with NOAA’s Tom Knutson, diving deeper into the multi-decadal view of hurricane patterns in the Atlantic. Together, we explore the complexities of hurricane frequency and intensity, uncovering why the long-term, multi...
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40:52
#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