Beyond Culture

In this episode, we discussed all things U.S. politics. After a somewhat quiet few months into Joe Biden's presidency, the administration has been facing many challenges both foreign and domestic. We talk about the crisis in Afghanistan and the history of US intervention in the Middle East. We then shift our attention to the Democrats' effort of passing both a reconciliation package and an infrast...

In this final episode of our 2021 Canadian federal election series, We offer our opinions about the election night. We talked about how Election Canada handled a pandemic election and discussed why some media's decision desks projected the election results before some polling places were closed. We also discussed whether this election was necessary or a waste of public funds. Furthermore, we discu...

In today’s episode, we give you a glimpse into what Election Day could look like as Canada receives more than 1.3 million requests for mail-in ballots. We also have a discussion on key moments from the recent debates, including the topic of systematic racism in Quebec. Finally, we look at where the parties stand in the final days and various potential outcomes.

In this episode, we have a conversation on all things Canadian Politics. With the struggles of the Liberal party and the backlash facing Justin Trudeau, Erin O’Toole and the conservatives have seen their popularity rise in the polls. ⁣ ⁣ This campaign has also seen an unprecedented rise in tension with anti-vax protesters showing up at Liberal events, and as of recently throwing gravel at the prim...

Welcome Back to Beyond Culture, This episode is a conversation with the founder of the Care2Give charity Marwa Sakhizada. Inspired by the charitable work of her father and a yearning for helping her people back home, Marwa began Care2Give in 2019.Since then, the charity has organized multiple projects in Afghanistan, such as building a water well in a small community in Kabul, working with the All...

In this episode, we have a conversation on all things Canadian politics. After first being shortlisted in 2010, Mary Simon has officially been appointed as Canada’s Governor-General. We discuss this historic moment and the role she will play during a time when Canada faces a reckoning for its horrific treatment of Indigenous communities. We then have a conversation surrounding Canada’s snap electi...

The NBA guys are back to recap the Finals and various news surrounding the league. Giannis Antetokounpo and the Milwaukee Bucks won their second championship in franchise history “the hard way”. As Giannis puts it “I wanted to get the job done. It’s easy to go somewhere and go win a championship with someone else. It’s easy. I could go to a super team and just do my part and win a championship. Bu...

This episode is a conversation with collegiate basketball player Farah Alfar. As the NBA playoffs continue to be filled with twists and turns, we get her opinion on the league and who she hopes wins the championship. We then discuss her playing career, from her high school days to the University and College level. Furthermore, we touch on the importance of taking care of one's mental health, the p...

In this episode, the NBA crew is back to discuss the NBA Finals. First, we shared our thoughts on the leaked audio of Rachel Nichols and her comments towards her fellow NBA personality Maria Taylor. We then take a deep dive in the NBA finals.   After 16 years in the league, Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns are competing for a championship against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. We al...

In this episode, we talk to the Toronto-based filmmaker Mike Regis. We discussed Mike's atypical background as a Business Management graduate from Ryerson University and the reason why he fell in love with filmmaking. Furthermore, we discussed the challenges of being a young Black Canadian filmmaker and how he uses his particular worldview to achieve a strong sense of Black nuance and humanity wit...

This episode is a conversation with George Boutsalis. George is a co-host on The Pal's Podcast and a co-founder of the social voting app Cast. We discussed the history of The Pal's Podcast and why George, and his co-host Ricky Liorti, decided to pick up podcasting as a hobby. Among many other things, we talked about the behind-the-scene grind that podcasting requires, how to get started with podca...

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the history of sexual assault and misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces. Back in February of this year, allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against the former Chief of Defence Staff General Jonathan Vance. We discuss the findings of the recent independent review which stated that sexual misconduct remains as rampant and destructive in 2021 as it wa...

In this episode, we cover all things consumer tech and Silicon Valley.⁣ We discuss how companies like Apple have created an ecosystem that has hurt competition and innovation in the tech world.⁣ ⁣ We also look at the rise in popularity of short-form videos and apps like TikTok which utilize algorithms to cater feeds to consumers. Finally, we touch on the recent cryptocurrency and NFT craze, and th...

In this episode, the NBA Crew is back for a special playoff preview. ⁣We share our thoughts on the Toronto Raptors missing the playoffs for the first time since 2013, and on the future that lies ahead for the organization. We then go through various first-round matchups, the play-in tournament, and the top contenders for this years’ championship. ⁣

In this episode, we take a current and retrospective look at the Covid-19 pandemic a year later. ⁣ ⁣ As the Ontario government potentially plans on extending this 3rd lockdown, we evaluate the political decisions that have been made both at the federal and provincial levels. We also take a look at vaccination trends, anti-lockdown movements, essential workers and much more...⁣

This episode is a conversation with investor and mentor, Christian Perez.⁣ ⁣ As Gamestop, AMC and other businesses have seen the stock suddenly shoot up, Christian takes us through the ongoing clash between retail investors and Wall Street. ⁣ ⁣ We discuss both the legality and rationale of a big tech firm, Robinhood, deciding to restrict the purchase of these stocks and whether we could start seei...

As Joseph R. Biden is inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States and Kamala D. Harris sworn-in as the first female Vice-President, we take a look at the historical significance of this day. We go through our favourite moments from the ceremony and what we took away from the various speeches. We also take a look back at the insurrection that happened at the Capital just a few weeks prio...

In this episode, the NBA crew is back for the final league related episode of the season. The guys discuss everything from the blockbuster James Harden trade to the Raptors and their 4-8 start of the season. ⁣ ⁣ Furthermore, we also address the recent Covid-19 outbreak across the league and the current debate about whether NBA players should be afforded the privilege of being vaccinated as opposed...

In this episode; Yvan talks to Scarborough-Agincourt candidate, Renee Jagdeo. ⁣Renee is currently running to be the youngest city councillor in Toronto history, and studying in her 2nd year at the University of Toronto. ⁣ ⁣ Her campaign platform focuses on 6 key areas: Housing, Improving Public Transit, Green Recreational Space, Covid Response, Community Safety and Economic Development. ⁣ ⁣ Consti...

In this episode, we talk to the talented Maiah Stewardson. Maiah is an actor and a maker of things based in Australia. Maiah works extensively in both film and theatre. Her professional screen debut was in the widely acclaimed feature “Girl Asleep”, from director Rosemary Myers.⁣ In 2020, she co-led the feature film “My First Summer”, which premiered at the Adelaide Film festival. On top of all of...

In this episode, we talk to Matt K. Lewis ( @mattklewis ) about American politics after Donald Trump's presidency. Matt K. Lewis is currently a political commentator for CNN, senior columnist for The Daily Beast and host of the “Matt Lewis & The News” podcast. He has appeared on C-SPAN, PBS NewsHour, ABC’s “Nightline,” HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher,” and CBS News’ “Face The Nation.” ⁣ ⁣ In 2016...

In this episode, we discuss the topic of masculinity. We explore the criticisms of toxic masculinity and we share our personal experiences and opinions about the various types of masculinity. We discuss the current debate of whether there is a war on masculinity. We also explore other topics such as men’s mental health, Harry Styles’ wardrobe, and much more!

In this episode, Yahaya Alphonse takes us through the history of SARS and its treatment of the Nigerian population. Yahaya moved to Canada at the age of 17 to study biology and Political Science. We talk about the current state of the government and the ongoing protests that have taken place in Nigeria and Canada. We also explore the potential solutions and the critical role young people have play...

In today’s episode, we discuss the recent and ongoing U.S. Presidential election. We go through the big surprises and key moments from Tuesday night all the way to Saturday morning. We look at Trump’s election night speech where he declared himself the winner and the legal battles that are ahead for his lawyers in their quest to prove that wide-scale voter fraud took place in this election. Finall...

In this episode, the NBA crew is back in the studio to recap the 2020 NBA Bubble. We go through the major moments of this historic season and the Lakers' title run. ⁣ ⁣ Furthermore, we explore the different moves that might take place during free agency and what the future holds for the Toronto Raptors as both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving return to the Brooklyn Nets lineup.