Beyond Culture

In this special 100th episode of Beyond Culture, we take a moment to reflect on our incredible journey to this milestone. It's a shorter episode, but one filled with gratitude and excitement. We start by looking back at how far we've come since our first episode. We revisit some of the most memorable moments and discussions that have shaped Beyond Culture. It's a chance to acknowledge...

In episode 99, we dive into the urgent topic of climate change and the upcoming COP28 summit, an essential meeting that will significantly influence global environmental policies. We start by discussing why climate change talks are important and what makes the COP meetings, especially COP28, so crucial in addressing these issues. We then look back at the last COP meeting, COP27, to understand what...

In this episode, we delve deep into the multifaceted Israeli-Palestinian conflict, unveiling its layers from historical genesis to present-day complexities. We begin by discussing the October 7th attacks by Hamas and then turn to the historical roots of this enduring conflict from the Balfour Declaration to recent escalations, including the significance of the Nakba and key milestones like the Six...

In this episode, we navigate through the complex tapestry of historical and contemporary forces shaping the ongoing war. We commence with a primer on the intricate history shared by Russia and Ukraine, casting light on the critical junctures from their Soviet past to Ukraine's current assertion of sovereignty. We dissect the landmark events that set the stage for conflict, including Ukraine&#3...

In this episode, your hosts Abel and Yvan bring you an update on Canadian politics. We begin with the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Canada, shedding light on the growing solidarity between the two nations amidst a backdrop of warfare and a pledge of further humanitarian aid. The narrative takes a dark twist with the unsettling honouring of a Nazi Ukrainian veteran in the Canad...

In this episode, your hosts Abel and Yvan embark on a journey through the tumultuous political landscape of West Africa's Sahel region. From the recent surge of coups d'états in countries like Mali and Burkina Faso to the intricate tapestry of historical legacies, economic vulnerabilities, and global geopolitics that fuel these events, we unravel the complex factors at play by delving into...

In this episode, your hosts Abel and Yvan take a deep dive into the complexities of U.S. politics as the nation gears up for the 2024 presidential election. The stakes are elevated as they explore former President Donald Trump's entanglement in unprecedented legal challenges—ranging from multi-state indictments to questions that threaten the very foundations of American democracy. Switching ge...

In this special edition of "Beyond Culture," we take you on a rhythmic journey to the SoundKing Festival in northern Ontario. The festival, hosted by SoundKing, a prominent Afrobeats record label based in Toronto, illuminated Sault Ste. Marie with a vibrant blend of local artists, diverse music genres, and cross-cultural collaborations in the summer of 2022. Our first interview is with B...

In this episode, we plunge into the dynamic landscape of the 2023 Toronto mayoral by-election, starting with a discussion on the significance of municipal elections, the powers of a mayor, and the specific policy spheres they influence. We'll dissect the distinct role of the mayor in Toronto's political framework and the potential implications this election could have on the city's fut...

In this episode, we navigate the exhilarating twists and turns of the 2023 NBA playoffs. We'll begin by examining the Toronto Raptors' coaching change and Nick Nurse's speculated move to the 76ers and evaluating potential successors like JJ Reddick, Monty Williams, and Becky Hammon. We'll also shed light on the future of the Raptors' key players. Next, we'll delve into the...

In this riveting episode, we dive deep into the heated battle for streaming supremacy, examining the impact of giants like Netflix, HBO, and Amazon Prime on the cinema industry. We analyze the consequences of controversial policies, including Netflix's password-sharing ban, and explore how these decisions are reshaping the landscape of entertainment consumption. No topic is off-limits as we also d...

In this episode, we’ll talk about the alarming increase in violence on public transportation in Toronto. Over the past few weeks, there has been a significant rise in violent incidents on buses, streetcars, and subways. We'll be exploring some of the reasons behind this trend, and what city officials and law enforcement are doing to address it. Next, we'll be discussing the new Toronto Budget in t...

In this episode, we will be discussing the key races and results of this year's midterms. We will also be discussing the highly anticipated senate race in Georgia in which the incumbent senator Raphael Warnock was reelected, as well as the performance of the various parties and how the election results will impact the balance of power in Congress. We will also be examining the main issues that dom...

In this episode, we talked about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the importance of recognizing the legacy of the Canadian Indian residential school system. We discussed the outcomes of the election in Quebec and its consequences. We also talked about the inflation crisis and its consequences in our lives and politics. Finally, we discussed Pierre Poilievre's election to the head...

Beyond Culture is back for a new season! In this episode, we take a look back at our biggest project of the summer the 'Sick and Tired' docuseries. We discussed the challenges and thrills of putting that project together. We also take a look at the topics we are planning on exploring in the new season ahead. 

In this episode, we talk to Eman and Tawa from SoundKing. Eman is the CEO and Founder of SoundKing Entertainment and Tawa is the Coordinator organizing SoundKing Fest 2022.  We talked about the Afrobeat scene in Canada, the festival scene in Toronto after Covid, and how big festivals in the city have struggled to keep fans satisfied this summer. Also, we discussed the unpleasant and oftentimes dis...

In this episode, we talked to Professor Ryan Gregory who is an evolutionary biologist and genome biologist at the University of Guelph. We talked about evolutionary biology and, most specifically, his primary research focus which is genome evolution. We discussed how similar the stigmatization regarding Monkeypox is to the earlier reporting on HIV/AIDS and how dangerous that sort of discourse can...

In this episode, we talk to the President of Concerned Friends Laurie Nicol. Concerned Friends is a volunteer-run organization whose mission is to advance the health and well-being and enrich the experiences of those living in long-term care homes across Ontario.  We discussed what the process of choosing a long-term care facility looks like; the differences between privately owned, publicly owned...

We talked to Elaine Power, the social media coordinator of Ontario Basic Income Network & Co-Author of “The Case for Basic Income: Freedom, Security, Justice”, and Kerry Lubrick, the coordinator of Ontario Basic Income Network, about the necessity and merits of a basic income in Ontario in the face of the current economic and climate crises. This interview is part of our docuseries "SICK AND TIRED...

In this episode, we talked to Nero Navee who is a real estate agent based in Ontario. we talked about the origin of the housing crisis in Ontario, what governments can do it help solve the crisis, and the problem with exclusionary zoning laws. We also discussed how Nero Navee got involved in real estate and the bits of advice he has for young people trying to get into the housing market.  This int...

The NBA crew is back to discuss the NBA Finals and the 2021-22 season. As Chris Paul and Devin Booker failed to lead their team back into the Finals, we discussed the Phoenix Suns' disappointing post-season run. We also talked about the Dallas Mavericks vs Golden State Warriors conference finals series. Finally, we touched on the drama surrounding Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets.  

In this episode, we talked to Farheen Alim, the NDP candidate for Etobicoke-Lakeshore and who is also a teacher. We discussed how COVID-19 impacted teachers and students alike. Farheen also talked about how her experience teaching in midst of the pandemic inspired her to run for public office. Finally, we touched on the issues of the campaign such as the affordability crisis, electoral reform, and...

This episode is part of our Ontario election docuseries Sick and Tired. This is our full interview with Abhijeet Manay, the deputy leader of the Green Party and candidate for Beaches-East York. We discussed Abhijeet's background and what prompted him to join the Ontario Green Party. We also talked about the affordability and climate crises in Ontario and the role of government in response to these...

The NBA crew is back! In this episode, the crew discussed the ups and downs of the Raptors' season. We discussed the whole controversy surrounding Ben Simmons and his new team the Brooklyn Nets. We also talked about James Harden's performance and the Sixers' disappointing post-season. Finally, the guys give their perspectives of various teams including the Lakers, the Heat, and the Suns.

In this episode, the NBA crew discusses all the drama surrounding this NBA season. We talk about the rift between the Philadelphia 76ers and their star guard Ben Simmons. We discuss whether the fault solely belongs to Ben Simmons or whether the organization and the coach also need to be blamed. The guys then discuss Kyrie Irving's refusal to get vaccinated and how his decision has affected his tea...