Best Christopher Balkaran Podcasts (2025)

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#233: Mark Carney Is Not Justin Trudeau – And That Might Be a Good Thing 16:58

16d ago16:58

16:58

Send us a text After nine years of Justin Trudeau, Canadians finally got a change — but is it real change, or just better branding? In this solo episode, I break down the aftermath of the April 28th federal election and what I think Mark Carney actually represents. From the tone of his first press conference to his early decisions — like refusing a…

1
#232: The War in Ukraine - What We're Not Saying, Paul Robinson 45:26

1M ago45:26

45:26

Send us a text 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, and artillery use to questions of democracy and the role of the West’s military-industria…

1
#231:The Truth Behind Ukraine’s War: Dr. Ivan Katchanovski, Media and Myths 56:43

2M ago56:43

56:43

Send us a text 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 on Ukraine’s internal divisions, the roots of war, and the media’s oversimplified story. We talk ab…

1
#230: Canadians are in Favour of Capital Punishment - Mario Canseco, Research Co. 42:46

2M ago42:46

42:46

Send us a text 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 since the 1970s. I sit down with Mario Canseco, president of ResearchCo. While Canada abol…

1
#229: Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program - Fix or Problem? With Jason Foster 47:26

2M ago47:26

47:26

Send us a text 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 impact on Canadian workers. Is the program a necessary economic tool, or has it become a permanent fixture in o…

1
#228: Former Police Chief Peter Sloly - Understanding the Freedom Convoy 55:09

3M ago55:09

55:09

Send us a text 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 enforcement, we explore what really happened in February 2022 and what it reveals about Can…

1
#227: The Ethical Dilemmas of C0vid Pandemic Policies - Dr. Kerry Bowman 42:42

3M ago42:42

42:42

Send us a text 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 unintended consequences of strict public health measures, and how marginalized groups—inclu…

1
#226: Medicine Men and Doctors: Common Challenges with Dr. Robert Klitzman 49:57

3M ago49:57

49:57

Send us a text 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 Guinea, the cultural roots of disease understanding, the profound vulnerability of patients, a…

1
#225: Surveillance State: It's Here, Professor Rey Koslowski 51:35

3M ago51:35

51:35

Send us a text 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, biometrics, and facial recognition are transforming border management—raising both security concerns and ethical questions. 💡…

1
#224: Men, Mental Health and the Silent Crisis - Chloe Smellink 1:10:24

4M ago1:10:24

1:10:24

Send us a text 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 affecting mental well-being. Chapters 00:00 – Welcome Back, Chloe 05:00 – How Men Approach Mental Hea…

1
#223: Examining MAiD in Canada with Dr. Ramona Coelho 45:32

4M ago45:32

45:32

Send us a text 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, ethical dilemmas, and the societal failures that lead many to seek MAiD. We discuss cases driven…

1
#222: The Real Impact of Mass Immigration and Guest Worker Visas: Jessica Vaughan, Center for Immigration Studies 1:01:55

4M ago1:01:55

1:01:55

Send us a text 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 immigration policy, including her work with the U.S. Foreign Service and the Department of Justice. K…

1
#221: 1 Moderate vs. 25 Kamala Harris Voters 56:20

7M ago56:20

56:20

Send us a text Support the show Visit my NEW Website! https://www.christopherbalkaran.com Check out my Instagram/Tik Tok for daily posts: Instagram @openmindspod Tiktok @openmindspodcastBy Christopher Balkaran

1
#220: Multi-Decadal Hurricane Patterns: Part 2 with Tom Knutson 40:52

7M ago40:52

40:52

Send us a text 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-decadal variability is crucial in understanding Atlantic hurricane activity. Tom shares in…

1
#219 Decoding Climate Change: A Pragmatic Approach with Tom Knutson 26:43

7M ago26:43

26:43

Send us a text 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 in attributing natural disasters to human influence, emphasizing the importance of underst…

1
#218: Chloe Smellinck: Mental Health for Men and Social Pressures 1:04:29

8M ago1:04:29

1:04:29

Send us a text 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 shape perceptions and behaviours, the role of communication in relationships, and the need for…

1
#217: Curious Mondays: Can True Free Speech Exist? 14:32

9M ago14:32

14:32

Send us a text AUDIO BLOG of my NEWSLETTER: openminds.substack.com SUBSCRIBE/LIKE/COMMENT Support the show Visit my NEW Website! https://www.christopherbalkaran.com Check out my Instagram/Tik Tok for daily posts: Instagram @openmindspod Tiktok @openmindspodcastBy Christopher Balkaran

1
#216: Unpacking Historical Narratives with Professor Matthew Alan Sears 58:06

9M ago58:06

58:06

Send us a text 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 these narratives shape political ideologies, drawing connections between ancient history an…

1
#215: Ethan Duggan, Take Back Canada - Examining Immigration and Corporate Interests 1:04:44

9M ago1:04:44

1:04:44

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…

1
#214: Curious Mondays - What’s the Matter with Australia? 8:25

9M ago8:25

8:25

Send us a text 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 psychological …

1
#213: The Abraham Accords and Middle Eastern Geopolitics: US Ambassador Gerald Feierstein 50:03

9M ago50:03

50:03

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…

1
#212: The Global Food Crisis: Sylvain Charlebois on Supply Chains and Geopolitics 1:06:47

9M ago1:06:47

1:06:47

Send us a text 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 business…

1
#212: The Canadian Dream through Representation: Lionel Loganathan 1:00:33

10M ago1:00:33

1:00:33

Send us a text 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 and Markha…

1
#211: The Spiral of Silence and How it's Terrible for Us, Christopher Balkaran 17:30

10M ago17:30

17:30

Send us a text 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 to a situa…

1
#210: Understanding Breast Implant Illness, Dr. Amanda Savage Brown 1:05:36

10M ago1:05:36

1:05:36

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 …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Christopher Balkaran Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

Christopher Balkaran

1
#233: Mark Carney Is Not Justin Trudeau – And That Might Be a Good Thing 16:58

1
#232: The War in Ukraine - What We're Not Saying, Paul Robinson 45:26

1
#231:The Truth Behind Ukraine’s War: Dr. Ivan Katchanovski, Media and Myths 56:43

1
#230: Canadians are in Favour of Capital Punishment - Mario Canseco, Research Co. 42:46

1
#229: Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program - Fix or Problem? With Jason Foster 47:26

1
#228: Former Police Chief Peter Sloly - Understanding the Freedom Convoy 55:09

1
#227: The Ethical Dilemmas of C0vid Pandemic Policies - Dr. Kerry Bowman 42:42

1
#226: Medicine Men and Doctors: Common Challenges with Dr. Robert Klitzman 49:57

1
#225: Surveillance State: It's Here, Professor Rey Koslowski 51:35

1
#224: Men, Mental Health and the Silent Crisis - Chloe Smellink 1:10:24

1
#223: Examining MAiD in Canada with Dr. Ramona Coelho 45:32

1
#222: The Real Impact of Mass Immigration and Guest Worker Visas: Jessica Vaughan, Center for Immigration Studies 1:01:55

1
#221: 1 Moderate vs. 25 Kamala Harris Voters 56:20

1
#220: Multi-Decadal Hurricane Patterns: Part 2 with Tom Knutson 40:52

1
#219 Decoding Climate Change: A Pragmatic Approach with Tom Knutson 26:43

1
#218: Chloe Smellinck: Mental Health for Men and Social Pressures 1:04:29

1
#217: Curious Mondays: Can True Free Speech Exist? 14:32

1
#216: Unpacking Historical Narratives with Professor Matthew Alan Sears 58:06

1
#215: Ethan Duggan, Take Back Canada - Examining Immigration and Corporate Interests 1:04:44

1
#214: Curious Mondays - What’s the Matter with Australia? 8:25

1
#213: The Abraham Accords and Middle Eastern Geopolitics: US Ambassador Gerald Feierstein 50:03

1
#212: The Global Food Crisis: Sylvain Charlebois on Supply Chains and Geopolitics 1:06:47

1
#212: The Canadian Dream through Representation: Lionel Loganathan 1:00:33

1
#211: The Spiral of Silence and How it's Terrible for Us, Christopher Balkaran 17:30

1
#210: Understanding Breast Implant Illness, Dr. Amanda Savage Brown 1:05:36

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