What happens when "home" no longer feels like home? In this episode, we explore the emotional and psychological journey of returning to your country of origin after building a life abroad. Whether you're an immigrant, international student, or third-culture kid, the journey "home" can bring unexpected challenges. From feelings of alienation and rev…

In this episode, we trace the history of Canada’s dominant political parties — the Liberals and Conservatives — and explore how immigration policy and racial identity intersect with party politics. We ask tough questions: Why are so many immigrants turning to the Conservative Party despite prominent leaders supporting MAGA and denying systemic raci…

Explore how Edward T. Hall’s theory of monochronic and polychronic time reveals deep cultural differences in how we view time, relationships, and productivity. This episode of Canadian Salad unpacks what Canada can learn from polychronic cultures — and why our time habits might need a cultural reset. Let us know what you think of this episode! Text…

Happy May!! There are many exciting things about this month . . .more sun, flowers and the permission to do more things in your life (because the month told you 'You MAY . . . get it? No? Okay, we thought it was funny). But one thing this May brings us is the celebration of Asian Heritage Month. In this fun and insightful episode of Canadian Salad,…

Ya'll the haters are back! Our recent social media reel of over 10,000 views, have people enraged over the simple fact that those who came to Canada in the past are immigrants. With almost 500 comments and all of them hell-bent on denying the truth about people to migrate to another country, we are clapping back. We believe that all settlers are im…

Let’s call it what it is: the word ‘expat’ is often just a softer label for privilege. In this episode, we dig into the uncomfortable truth about how people with wealth, whiteness, and status are given one title, while others — arriving under nearly identical circumstances — are labeled ‘immigrants’, and carry the negative weight that word holds. W…

Canada is a nation. And as long as the concept of 'nation' exists, nationalism will follow right behind it. Identity to country is on the tongues and minds of so many and has always been an aspect of creating meaning for ourselves. The defence of an idea, a border, a nation has been enforced more often by violence. But why? What is it about a natio…

There's love and marriage. And then sometimes, there's love and divorce. Separation can be painful as much as it can be healing. Join us as we take a cultural tour around the world exploring how different cultures view and handle divorce, highlighting how patriarchy, regardless of country, universally impacts women's experiences. We explore Western…

Did you know Japanese shows like 'Grendizer' and 'Captain Majid' were not only popular through Asia but the Arab world as well? How is it that cultures unlike each other found each other? And why didn't western cartoons land the same way? In this episode of Canadian Salad, we dive into the surprising popularity of Japanese anime in Arab countries l…

"Deport them!" "Those illegal aliens are ruining our country!" A recent instagram post has merited over 7k views and over 500 comments - 500 hateful, dehumanizing, angry and ignorant comments. The post? "Waiting for your immigration status to be approved shouldn't be a crime. And incompetent governments should not merit the punishment of people." A…

A person holds the door open. You're thankful. What a nice gesture, a kind favour! For some, this gesture would merit a simple 'thank you' as you go on your way. But for others, this might be an opportunity to stand and talk with this friendly door opener and learn more about them. Welcome to a cultural tour of how favours are perceived and recipro…

We are over the moon for our first Apple podcast review. If you haven't left one yet, please do! In this spirited episode, we celebrate our very first Apple Podcast review — which was an unflattering yet entertaining critique of our view of Thanksgiving in Canada. The reviewer claims we we don't talk enough about colonization when it comes to the f…

He's called Canada the "nastiest country to deal with" and the "51st state". Trump's rhetoric is alarming - threats of annexation and assimilation by force. But if we are really honest, these threats are as old as Canada itself. In this episode of Canadian Salad, we unpack Trump's rhetoric and how it echos of historical colonization - where threats…

The government is extremely efficient . . . that is, when it wants to be. Recently, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) granted legal status to thousands of undocumented construction workers due to a labor shortage. While we applaud the decision, we also critically dissect this move, pointing out the hypocrisy of the…

Black Canadian farmers are doing more than just growing food - they're creating culturally relevant foods that are local and sustainable for Afro-Caribbean communities. Innovation is the spirit of immigrants and we're excited to highlight the inspiring work of a Nigerian-born farmer Toyin Ajayi of British Columbia and explore the positive impact Bl…

The insults keep coming - cheap shots to make us feel small. But does it work? Of course not!! In our latest Dishes Out, we'll tackle an absurd social media insult related to the glasses we wear. Online bullying is no joke and when you stand for people and good things, bullies today will not hold back. We take an honest look at these insults and ho…

“DEI is woke.” “It silences free speech.” “It’s Marxism in disguise.” We’ve all heard the backlash, but how much of it is based on facts? The debate around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has been clouded by misinformation and fear-mongering. In this episode of Canadian Salad, we cut through the noise with Matt Tsang, co-founder and brand di…

We be ending our week by taking on a naysayer named Tony who thinks immigrants are a burden on taxpayers. Spoiler alert: He's terribly wrong! We'll dish out facts, chuckle at Tony's outdated views, and dream up a 'mandatory fact school' for misinformed people. We'll highlight how immigrants pay significant amounts of money to live in Canada and act…

Refugees are forced to pay for Canada's decisions. The recent immigration cuts have brought forward heavy-handed cuts to refugee applications and visitor visas. We won't deny that there are organizations within Canada committing fraud. But punishing vulnerable people for other's terrible decisions isn't working - it's present day human collateral. …

In this zesty episode of 'Dishes Out,' we serve up a hearty clapback to a listener's monocultural tantrum claiming that diversity is like 'watering down wine.' With lots of eye rolls and face palms, we'll unravel the irony of the metaphor, spotlighting how diversity, much like a range of fine wines, enhances and enriches our lives. It's comments li…

Black History Month. If we are honest, this month only exists because Black history has been all but untold in Canada. In this compelling episode of Canadian Salad, Andrea and Hostion are joined by two remarkable women, Cleia and Asiyah, to dive deep into their personal experiences as Black women in Canada. Cleia, with Jamaican roots, shares her jo…

True: Colonial ideologies have distorted perceptions of truth and of what is right. False: Colonial ideologies are the only reality. It's Friday and we will dish out and clap back against a comment which criticized Andrea's talk with her son about the real history of Indigenous land in Canada. We unpack the accusation of 'feeding children a false r…

What is it to be host? To welcome someone? Someone with a different background, culture, tradition, language and perspective? What would hospitality look like with a complete stranger? In this thought provoking episode, Andrea hosts Jennifer Wilson, former CEO of the Canada Homestay Network - Canada's largest international student homestay program.…

Recently we were told "Diversity isn't working" . . . and we're clapping back and we are saying it is. Hostion is back, making a triumphant return, bringing much-needed diversity, humour and wit back to the show. Along with Andrea, they'll dive into a humorous and thought-provoking discussion, addressing the misconceptions around diversity in socie…

I don't know about you, but the news in the world is overwhelming, scary and uncertain. With Trump's inhumane deportations in the south to the anti-immigrant rhetoric in Canada, there's only so much negative news that we can listen to. That's why it's time for some good news! In this engaging and uplifting and solo episode, Andrea will explore the …

Join Andrea and her son Lincoln tackle a not-so-well-thought-out social media comment about Canadians needing to take back their country. With Hostion celebrating Lunar New Year, Lincoln steps in, bringing his seven-year old charm and his big, big heart. They explore the concept of control, the importance of Indigenous lands and sovereignty, and ev…

From grey hairs to raisins, join us as we explore the culture of aging! We'll share personal anecdotes—like Hostion's eternal youthfulness and Andrea's grey hair pride —while we explore the complex layers behind ageism and respect for elders around the globe. From cultural expectations in China to the wisdom revered in Indigenous communities, we'll…

"Immigrants need to assimilate". What does that even mean? Assimilate into what? What ideal are people thinking of when they proclaim this? The very question ignores the diverse landscape of Canada, from west to east coast. If people would be really honest, they'd realize not everyone is the same and not everyone needs to fit into a mysterious, int…

Universities are losing money. Some are closing. With IRCC rolling the dice in their cuts to international students, the impact has only just begun. Because Hostion and I came to Canada as international students, we feel the weight of this topic deeply and that's why we have to talk about it. Join us as we discuss how these 'knee-jerk' reactions to…

We couldn't help but tackle Trump’s bonkers claim about making Canada the 51st state. We'll speculate why Trump is so obsessed with the Great White North—maybe he’s just thirsty for some maple syrup? Maybe poutine? We'll see if CBSA lets a felon . . . er, we mean a president cross the border. Ahem . . . We do dish out on Baby Trump, aka Pierre Poll…

"I'm rich and I can speak two languages" can often get the resounding "Wow!" Or the flattering "Impressive!" But when it comes to people from lower classes or those from the global majority, bilingualism is often looked down on - especially in our Western world. What is it about elevating the languages of the rich and judging the languages of the p…

Sorry 80s. Back down 21st century! The anti-immigrant trolls think the 90s were the best for Canada. And why is that? Best for who? We can tell you it wasn't because of the side ponytails and thigh masters. We will give you a hint . . . in the context of immigration, it was a great time for a very specific group of people. And it's that same group …

Trudeau's resignation as Prime Minister has the political world buzzing with hot takes on the economy, election forecasts, and who’s next to wear Canada’s crown of responsibility. But let’s cut through the noise: mainstream media won’t touch the real cost of this transition—what it means for those locked out of power, privilege, and prestige. For m…

Embrace the weekend as we embrace a whirlwind discussion of mopping dishes and spilling all the tea on immigrant misconceptions. We will passionately debunk the myths that immigrants get handouts, pointing out that paying steep fees, with no freebies, and equal tax payments as Canadian-born people contribute vastly to the economy. We'll expose the …

You love their hotdogs, love their prices and you'll love them even more because of what we're about to tell you! Costco! The big warehouse chain that we all know is under scrutiny for resisting and combating conservative think tanks who think DEI policies will lose them money. We applaud Costco's response so far and here's why. The founder of Cost…

Some naysayer referred to immigrants giving Canada a bad reputation. While there is zero substance, we unpack and dish out on this very ridiculous comment. Canada's reputation on the global stage, particularly regarding immigration and multiculturalism, is something that European countries, Asian countries and even the United States have admired fr…

It's the last episode of 2024 and we cannot end the year without a look back at the laughs, the tears, the funny moments and the inspirational stories that graced Canadian Salad! From stories of being in love, to parenting, to the impact of fried chicken and racism, our podcast saw immense growth and immense impact to both us and to those who liste…

Act Canadian? Does that mean we say 'eh' a lot? Does that mean we have a high-intake, poutine diet? Does that mean we should drape Canadian flags over our big Ford F150s? What does it mean to act "Canadian"? Before you answer (or think you have an answer), our question to you is to really think about what is "Canadian". Most Canadians can't agree o…

The Al-Assad regime has fallen. Syrians around the world celebrated in the streets while Syrians inside Syria reunited with family members once thought to have passed away. Before the regime fell, however, many Syrians fled from the cruelty and violence. How does a person live through unimaginable circumstances and still rise above with advocacy an…

Popular! The new 'Wicked' film is out in theatres and we are giving our full blown amazing analysis of the realities of the gravity we all face in our Western world. Join us as we explore themes of outcasts and resilience, reflecting on how Elphaba's journey mirrors real experiences of marginalized groups. The systems that tiny men have created are…

We are back spilling the tea and roasting online trolls who think that immigrants shouldn't send money back to their families far away. (We know . . . so many levels of eye roll). We hit a viral TikTok milestone and with that came a milestone of ridiculous sentiments about what immigrants should be doing with their money. We call out the hypocrisy …

In May of this year, KFC announced the release of Halal chicken at majority of their restaurants across Ontario. As the year went on, what seemed like inclusion only led to exclusion - and the eventual downfall of any inclusive efforts originally made. What went wrong? Well inclusion can create exclusion when it's done without diversity, equity and…

We recently had a post receive the largest engagement on TikTok - over 19k views and over 300 comments. While some people were nice, most were angry and racist and hateful. The statement that yielded so much anger in our post? "Immigrants give more to Canada than they take. That's a fact." One comment in particular is a common trope that is often u…

In a world where the clangor of discord and strife frequently rises above the whispers of hope, navigating the currents of human connection and inherent goodness can often feel like walking a tightrope. Our latest episode, we take an introspective dive into these themes, examining how to balance the abundant and justified frustrations of the world …

We are serving up some serious smackdown on recent ridiculous stereotypes about immigrants. Join us as we roast a cringe-worthy commentator on our TikTok page about immigrants 'living off the tit of government.' From inflatable shark songs to epic takedowns of bad grammar, we'll debunk myths about what immigrants take and spotlight the surplus that…

Meet Bray. A 34-year-old gay black man who was adopted and raised by white parents. Questions of identity and navigating micro aggressions when others around you don’t is but a fraction of Bray’s experience navigating his identity in a white world. Social constructs of what is ‘Black’ or what is ‘White’ all come into question. How do you navigate s…

Workplace anxiety is the number one stressor for immigrants integrating into Canada. And make no mistake, we know why - unspoken expectations, subtle nuances and navigating work place culture. How do you bring your authentic self to the workplace? Is professionalism cultural? What's the difference between cultural values and cultural identities? We…

Why is a simple image of a woman in a hijab deemed controversial in a multicultural city like Montreal? That's easy - power and control. Join us as we confront this pressing question head-on, exploring the biases and discrimination that lurk beneath the surface of triviality of assimilation and the dehumanization of people with government decisions…

On November 5th, Donald J. Trump was re-elected to the presidential seat for the United States. His platform built on the dehumanization of immigrants and promises to deport masses of people, is no joke. We know he lies, but when he spouts out racism and hate, we know he is serious and will do what he can to make inhumane things happen In this epis…

We get downright fiery as we confront a BC Conservative candidate and immigrant to Canada, Marina Sapozhnikov, and her racial slur used on BC's election night towards Indigenous people. As immigrants ourselves, we cannot stress enough the necessity and importance of learning Indigenous history as a priority for our integration in Canada. Ignorance …