Awaaz Radio Podcast

In this insightful episode, we welcomed mental health coach and speaker Sunny Chopra to discuss the often-overlooked topic of men's mental health and breaking through emotional barriers. Sunny opened up about his personal journey, sharing how childhood bullying and the pressure to "hold it together" led to suppressed emotions and eventual outbursts, driving him to seek help and eventually guide ot...

In this Season 2, Episode 6, titled "Do Hathaan di Lutt with Bikram Singh Kullewalia," we sat down with activist Bikram Singh Kullewalia to reflect on the long-standing protests and morchas regarding international student and immigration issues. Bikram, who has been a consistent figure in these movements, shared his personal motivations for maintaining physical and mental resilience, emphasizing t...

In this episode, we sit down with Ashwyn Singh, one of Canada’s rising stand-up comedians, known for his sharp wit, clever social commentary, and hilarious takes on immigrant life. Ashwyn also breaks down his unique approach to writing stand-up comedy and how he crafts jokes that are insightful, and still connect with audiences across cultures.. This episode isn’t just about laughs—it’s about the...

In this reflective Season 2, Episode 4, titled "Reflection," we took a moment to look back on our journey, discussing everything from personal frustrations to the power of collective action. We started with a light-hearted debate on being addressed formally versus informally, before diving into the core theme of time and presence. We shared our personal struggles with feeling "out of time" and the...

In this extensive Season 2, Episode 3, we continue our conversation with Mahnoor Khan about her recent trip to Pakistan and the profound issue of Panjab and its Virasat (heritage). Mahnoor described her experience in Lahore, noting that the city has a mood of its own, and you must be ready to embrace its unpredictability. The central theme of the discussion was the devastating impact of the post-1...

In this deep and emotional Season 2, Episode 2, we spoke with writer Bupinder Singh Bali about his powerful book, Those Who Stayed: The Sikhs of Kashmir . Bali shared the intense motivation behind his writing, which began with recording the oral and micro-histories of people affected by violence and trauma in Kashmir, emphasizing that these small, personal histories are often missing from the gran...

In this Season 2 premiere, Episode 1, we sit down with the artist Just Prince to discuss his album, Nacheez (I am insignificant). Just Prince explains the title's meaning, reflecting on our small place in the universe, and the album's core message: be kind to one another because we are all going through similar experiences. The artist describes the unconventional, fluid structure of his music, sta...

In this compelling Episode 8, titled "I Am: A Perfect Palindrome," we were joined by mental health professional Deepak Kashyap for an enlightening discussion on identity, immigration, and mental well-being in the diaspora. We discussed how South Asian immigrants often confuse their cherished culture with the restrictive politics they fled, often leading to a "hidden" identity. Deepak stressed that...

In this deeply personal and powerful Episode 7, "Intersection of Art and Trans Rights," we welcomed the acclaimed artist and activist, Jannat Ali, to discuss her journey and the crucial role of art in the fight for trans rights. Jannat explained that art has been a source of oxygen for her since childhood, especially as she faced early societal pressures to conform to a male role. Jannat shared ho...

In this powerful Episode 6, we were honored to host renowned artist Adeel Afzal for a Punjabi podcast titled "Mai Nahi Mannda'" (I Do Not Agree). As a master storyteller, Adeel shared his insights into the ancient South Asian culture of storytelling, tracing its roots from the Persian epics and Sufi tales to the fields of Punjab, emphasizing how these narratives carry deep, often religious, and cu...

In this heartfelt and extended Episode 5, we were joined by Mahnoor Khan, the founder of Virasat Toronto , for a conversation on finding a sense of "home" through culture and art. Mahnoor, originally from Lahore but having spent much of her life moving between there and Toronto, shared her deeply personal experience of feeling lost and struggling to find her footing in a new country. We discussed...

In this special and much-needed Episode 4, we sit down for an in-depth interview with Bikram Kullewalia from the Naojwan Support Network (NSN) to discuss the urgent case of PGWP holders' rights and demands. We open by analyzing the impactful recent protest on June 2nd, stressing a core message: international students are primarily workers , and the issues they face—exploitation, underfunded colleg...

In our latest episode, "Echoes of History: Nationalism, Borders, Mutual Aid, and Cooperative Narratives," we explored wide-ranging topics in social and political philosophy. We began by affirming the recent international student protests as a necessary collective action to combat exploitation and stand up for rights. The conversation quickly shifted to a critique of media bias, where we argued tha...

In this crucial Episode 2, titled "Hunger Strike in PEI," we speak with Manpreet from M.Y.S.O. (Maritime Youth Support Organization) about the ongoing protests by international students and workers in Prince Edward Island. Manpreet describes the organizing efforts as a shared struggle, with M.Y.S.O. providing support and consultation to the workers who are leading the movement. She detailed the co...

"Case of International Students," features a detailed conversation between us about our experiences as international students in Canada, primarily those from the Indian community. We share personal anecdotes about our initial struggles in the country and discuss the surprising negative sentiment and discrimination we faced from within our own community, including accusations of taking away jobs. T...

This snippet from the movie "The Party" paints a good picture about what Awaaz Radio Podcast is all about. The right questions with so many answers.