Canadian Salad

What happens when belonging becomes a hierarchy? In this episode, Hostion and Andrea unpack the viral  Wasian Meetup  that took social media by storm — a gathering organized by Half Asian Spring for mixed white-Asian individuals during AAPI Heritage Month. On the surface, it looks like community-building. But beneath it, a more complicated story emerges about colorism, racial desirabilit...

Ever been told to chew with your mouth closed? What if that rule was considered rude in another country? In this episode of Canadian Salad, Hostion and Andrea go around the world to unpack the surprising, funny, and deeply human world of dining etiquette. They explore why burping is a compliment at the dinner table in parts of Asia and the Middle East, how slurping noodles in Japan is practically...

What does love actually look like when words aren't the primary language? In this episode of Canadian Salad, Andrea and Hostion dig into one of their favourite frameworks — love languages — but through the lens of Asian culture and heritage in honour of Asian Heritage Month. They explore why acts of service and food are often the dominant expressions of care in many Asian households, why verbal af...

In this unplanned, candid episode of  Canadian Salad , your hosts ditch the research and get real. We're talking about the small, everyday moments that carry us through hard times — from cooking a meal that tastes like home, to the way wind makes leaves sound like paper smacking together, to why a crow chiming in at just the right moment might be the universe agreeing with you. We also get in...

Thanks for coming back to part two of our deep dive into hierarchy and equality. Last episode, we challenged Canada’s egalitarian defaults. This week, we ask: can hierarchy actually be good? Andrea and Hostion explore three cultural models that say yes—Daoist philosophy, where power is energy negotiated rather than dominated; Confucian teachings, where the master’s goal is for the student to surpa...

What does hierarchy really mean — and why does it make some of us uncomfortable? In the first episode of this two-part series, hosts Hostion and Andrea unpack one of the most complex cultural dynamics in the modern world: hierarchy versus egalitarianism. Drawing from their own lived experiences — growing up in military and evangelical Christian households, navigating school systems in China, and w...

Be honest - when someone asks how you are, do you actually tell them the truth? In this episode of Canadian Salad, Hostion and Andrea get real about one of the most universal little lies we tell every day:  "I'm okay."  They unpack the psychology behind emotional suppression, explore how culture and gender shape what we're "allowed" to feel, and ask the bigger question — what does it cos...

Canada deported 22,000 people last year. Immigrants are leaving at the highest rates since 1971. And the ministries meant to support them? Gutted. In this episode, Andrea and Hostion get into the real cost of making immigrants the problem — from record deportations and Bill C-12's sweeping new powers, to the human stories of people who did everything right and still got left behind. Spoiler: when...

What does it mean to love an animal? And who gets to decide the "right" way to do it? In this episode of Canadian Salad, Andrea is joined by a very special guest co-host — her 8-year-old son Lincoln — for one our most thought-provoking conversations the show has had yet. Together they explore how cultures around the world relate to animals, and why our instinct to judge others' relationships with...

We know the news cycle is a lot. So this week, we're doing something about it. In this episode of Canadian Salad, Andrea and Hostion bring you six stories of real, hard-won progress — from Scotiabank fully divesting from Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems after years of sustained public pressure, to the Musqueam First Nation signing landmark land rights agreements with the federal government...

Does grief need permission? In this episode, we explore racialized grief, disenfranchised loss, and the politics of mourning. Why are some lives publicly grieved while others are minimized? What happens when grief is denied or policed? From racial trauma and white fragility to the emotional economy of Western culture, we unpack how grief extends beyond death — and why validation matters for healin...

White supremacy. It’s a term that sparks discomfort, denial, and defensiveness. But what if we’re not defining it correctly? In this episode, Andrea and Hostion explore the idea of  racial empire logic  — a framework that explains how systemic racism operates beyond individual hatred and into the structures of power that shape hiring, masculinity, climate policy, national identity and so...

Is blood really thicker than water? In this deeply honest conversation, we explore chosen family: the people we build relationships with for emotional safety, belonging, and survival. From immigration and identity to estrangement, healing, and joy, we share personal stories and research on why chosen family matters more than ever in modern life. This episode blends humour, vulnerability, and socia...

What if Black History Month isn’t just about remembrance but about the blueprint for a better future for everyone? In this deeply honest and wide-ranging conversation, we explore why Black history matters in Canada and how Black liberation is inseparable from collective liberation. From environmental justice to economic equity, rural poverty to global climate impacts, this episode unpacks the trut...

Love is universal. The way we express it is not. In this episode of  Canadian Salad , we explore how culture shapes love. From love languages and public displays of affection to family expectations, language, and tradition, Hostion & Andrea unpack how affection, intimacy, and commitment look different across the world. You’ll hear stories about intercultural relationships, why saying “I l...

Disability is often framed as something to fix, hide, or overcome. But what if that story is incomplete or harmful? In this episode of  Canadian Salad , Andrea and Hostion explore the  culture of disability across the globe , examining how different societies understand disability through spiritual, social, economic, and colonial lenses. From African and Asian cultural frameworks to Lati...

Pronouns are everywhere. We use them daily. And yet, they’ve become one of the most misunderstood topics of our time. In this episode, Hostion and Andrea explore the  culture of pronouns  through history, linguistics, and lived experience. From genderless languages and hierarchy-based speech to colonial influences and modern identity movements, they unpack how pronouns evolved and why th...

Canadian Salad  is a podcast about culture, identity, and belonging in a world that rarely fits into neat categories . Hosted through honest conversations and lived stories, the show explores how history, power, migration, and personal experience shape who we are and how we show up with one another. Each episode blends storytelling, cultural reflection, and r eal-world conversations to unpack...

What happens when conversations about race make people uncomfortable?  In this episode of Canadian Salad , Hostion and Andrea dig into white fragility —what it is, why it shows up, and how it quietly derails meaningful conversations about racism. Through research, lived experience, and honest dialogue, they unpack defensive reactions, tone policing, emotional shutdowns, and the hidden emotional la...

Culture has a price tag. And we pay it every time we decide what to buy. In this episode of Canadian Salad , we explore how culture shapes our buying decisions and what choosing new or used quietly signals about identity, status, and belonging. Drawing from personal stories, cultural research, and cross-cultural dialogue, we unpack how individualistic cultures emphasize self-expression , while col...

Holiday gatherings are more than meals and invitations. They’re cultural events shaped by time, dress, greeting rituals, and unspoken rules we often don’t realize we’re following. In this episode, Andrea and Hostion explore the culture of gatherings through real stories, laughter, karaoke confessions, and cross-cultural insights. From punctuality and dress codes to hugging, kissing, and showing up...

Colonialism is officially on trial — and the world can’t look away. In this episode, Andrea and Hostion unpack a monumental move by African nations pushing to recognize colonialism as a crime against humanity in international law. Through personal stories, history made human, and deeply reflective conversation, they explore how colonial legacies still shape our lives today — from language to ident...

This week, Andrea and Hostion sit down with Ulysses — writer, community-builder, trans man, and beloved ballroom family member — for a heartfelt conversation about masculinity.  Together they unpack how culture, race, gender, queer community, and lived experience shape what it means to be a man today. From performance to pressure, safety to softness, and tradition to transformation, this episode e...

When United States Vice President JD Vance slammed Canada’s “salad bowl immigration" as "insanity,” the internet exploded — and so did we. In this episode, Andrea and Hostion break down the politics, history, hypocrisy, and humour behind Vance’s comments. From failed monocultural empires to the real story of immigration in Canada, they explore why diversity isn’t a threat — it’s the natu...

Global citizen and cultural intelligence advocate Muraly Srinarayanthas joins Andrea and Hostion for an energizing conversation about multiculturalism, curiosity, and what it takes to build true belonging in Canada.  From childhood cross-cultural moments to boardroom negotiations in Bangladesh, Muraly shares real-world stories that highlight both the beauty and the challenges of navigating diverse...