Canadian Salad

In this honest and eye-opening conversation, Andrea and Hostion unpack why white aggression is so often excused, justified, or even framed as heroic — while Black, Indigenous, and racialized anger is quickly vilified, policed, or labeled “dangerous.”  Drawing on history, psychology, media patterns, and personal stories, the hosts explore how narrative power shapes who is viewed as human, who is vi...

This Remembrance Day, Canadian Salad shares a powerful conversation with Lisa Wallace , a former member of the Royal Canadian Navy, veteran, and current Royal Roads University student. Lisa opens up about her experiences as a Black woman in Canada’s Armed Forces , her reflections on the recent CAF apology for systemic racism, and what true remembrance looks like when we include every person who se...

Sumo is more than a sport — it’s a ritual, a mirror of Japanese identity, and now, surprisingly, a digital community reaching across the world. In this episode, Andrea explores how one of Japan’s oldest traditions is finding new life in unexpected places: a backyard in Victoria, British Columbia, a childhood memory in Japanese immigrants, and a global network of Fantasy Sumo fans. Through conversa...

Culture isn’t a costume 👻 It’s spooky season—but what’s really scary is how cultural appropriation disguised as “just a costume" is still normalized and practiced today. In this heartfelt Halloween episode, Andrea and Hostion dive into the tangled web between cultural appreciation and appropriation . From haunted houses and dead sailors to Princess Peach and bloody dentists, they share perso...

This week on Canadian Salad , Andrea and Hostion toss up a fresh conversation about uncertainty — why some of us need structure while others are totally fine going with the flow. Drawing on Hofstede’s cultural dimensions of uncertainty avoidance and individualism vs. collectivism , they explore how comfort with ambiguity shows up in our work, families, politics, and even how we shop online. From C...

Canadian pride is rising again — but not without tension. In this Thanksgiving-inspired episode, Andrea and Hostion unpack what Canadians are really thankful for in 2025. From free healthcare and cultural diversity to colonial accountability and privilege, they explore how gratitude and pride intertwine — and why the most meaningful kind of patriotism is rooted in care, not comparison. With new da...

Ever been called the black sheep of the family? Maybe you’ve said it about someone else — the rebel, the rule-breaker, the one who didn’t quite fit the mold. But here’s the twist: that fluffy little phrase carries more history (and bias) than most of us realize. In this episode of Canadian Salad , Andrea and Hostion trace the origins of “black sheep” — from literal flocks of woolly animals to bibl...

In this episode, we dig into one of the most damaging colonial tools in Canadian history: the Indian Act . Born out of control and oppression, it continues to shape Indigenous lives today. We explore its bans on ceremonies, the pass system that restricted movement, and the dehumanizing definitions of “Indian status.” Drawing on Indigenous voices, Bob Joseph’s 21 Things You May Not Know About the I...

What do Canadian bosses, chicken legs, and Hofstede’s cultural dimensions have in common? Turns out… a lot. In this episode of Canadian Salad , Andrea and Hoen dive deep (and hilariously) into Geert Hofstede’s research on Power Distance and Masculinity — two fancy terms that basically explain how societies juggle hierarchy, authority, gender roles, and ambition. Armed with stats, sarcasm, and the...

🥗 Weeez back, salad lovers! Season 3 of Canadian Salad is here with summer shenanigans, fresh politics, AI gossip, Pride wins & tariff tea. Laugh, learn & snack on culture with Andrea & Hostion — your favourite duo of people-loving nerds. 🎧 Join us as we dish about: Summer antics: bunny tattoos, ballroom families, and questionable dental records. Politics: Pierre “Little PP” Poilievr...

What does "Land Back" look like today? In this episode, we unpack the landmark title agreement between the Haida Nation and the governments of Canada and British Columbia — an unprecedented moment where title agreement endowed the honouring of relationship, bestowing reciprocity, and the national recognition of Haida Nation sovereignty. Special guest Skil Gyaa.ans, Jaahljuu (Graham Richa...

In this episode, we take a deep and poetic dive into the concept of borders—not just political or geographic, but personal, social, and linguistic. Inspired by the honest and heartfelt poem “Lessons in Borders” by Suzanne Alexa Maria Peñola, we explore how invisible lines can hold immense power over identity, not just how we view ourselves but mostly how we view others. Through conversation and re...

Being raised between cultures is both a privilege and a challenge. In this episode, we explore what it means to grow up as a second-generation immigrant in Canada — caught between your parents’ traditions and the expectations of Western society. We unpack research on identity conflict, mental health struggles, and the pressures of success. We also spotlight the resilience and achievements of secon...

What happens when "home" no longer feels like home? In this episode, we explore the emotional and psychological journey of returning to your country of origin after building a life abroad. Whether you're an immigrant, international student, or third-culture kid, the journey "home" can bring unexpected challenges. From feelings of alienation and reverse homesickness to the...

In this episode, we trace the history of Canada’s dominant political parties — the Liberals and Conservatives — and explore how immigration policy and racial identity intersect with party politics. We ask tough questions: Why are so many immigrants turning to the Conservative Party despite prominent leaders supporting MAGA and denying systemic racism? And what does the new Prime Minister Mark Carn...

Explore how Edward T. Hall’s theory of monochronic and polychronic time reveals deep cultural differences in how we view time, relationships, and productivity. This episode of Canadian Salad unpacks what Canada can learn from polychronic cultures — and why our time habits might need a cultural reset. Let us know what you think of this episode! Text us! Go to Canadian Salad Website for all sources...

Happy May!! There are many exciting things about this month . . .more sun, flowers and the permission to do more things in your life (because the month told you 'You MAY . . . get it? No? Okay, we thought it was funny). But one thing this May brings us is the celebration of Asian Heritage Month.  In this fun and insightful episode of Canadian Salad, we dive into how heritage isn't just a...

Ya'll the haters are back! Our recent social media reel of over 10,000 views, have people enraged over the simple fact that those who came to Canada in the past are immigrants. With almost 500 comments and all of them hell-bent on denying the truth about people to migrate to another country, we are clapping back. We believe that all settlers are immigrants. BUT are all immigrants to Canada se...

Let’s call it what it is: the word ‘expat’ is often just a softer label for privilege. In this episode, we dig into the uncomfortable truth about how people with wealth, whiteness, and status are given one title, while others — arriving under nearly identical circumstances — are labeled ‘immigrants’ , and carry the negative weight that word holds. We unpack how these labels are not harmless, how t...

Canada is a nation. And as long as the concept of 'nation' exists, nationalism will follow right behind it. Identity to country is on the tongues and minds of so many and has always been an aspect of creating meaning for ourselves. The defence of an idea, a border, a nation has been enforced more often by violence. But why? What is it about a nation that harming others makes it worth it?...

There's love and marriage. And then sometimes, there's love and divorce. Separation can be painful as much as it can be healing. Join us as we take a cultural tour around the world exploring how different cultures view and handle divorce, highlighting how patriarchy, regardless of country, universally impacts women's experiences.  We explore Western societies' emphasis on perso...

Did you know Japanese shows like 'Grendizer' and 'Captain Majid' were not only popular through Asia but the Arab world as well? How is it that cultures unlike each other found each other? And why didn't western cartoons land the same way? In this episode of Canadian Salad, we dive into the surprising popularity of Japanese anime in Arab countries like Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi...

"Deport them!" "Those illegal aliens are ruining our country!" A recent instagram post has merited over 7k views and over 500 comments - 500 hateful, dehumanizing, angry and ignorant comments. The post? "Waiting for your immigration status to be approved shouldn't be a crime. And incompetent governments should not merit the punishment of people." And the hate pol...

A person holds the door open. You're thankful. What a nice gesture, a kind favour! For some, this gesture would merit a simple 'thank you' as you go on your way. But for others, this might be an opportunity to stand and talk with this friendly door opener and learn more about them.  Welcome to a cultural tour of how favours are perceived and reciprocated across the globe. We'll...

We are over the moon for our first Apple podcast review. If you haven't left one yet, please do! In this spirited episode, we celebrate our very first Apple Podcast review — which was an unflattering yet entertaining critique of our view of Thanksgiving in Canada. The reviewer claims we we don't talk enough about colonization when it comes to the fall holiday, calling us 'non-Canadi...