Christopher Balkaran

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

Society EN ↓ 240 episodes

Imagine if you could explore, with genuine curiosity, the most controversial and divisive topics of our time. The conversations would push you to explore new areas and uncover insightful ‘a-ha’ moments that pique your interest. These talks could help answer the questions you may have, like: why would anyone support capital punishment? Or, what are the pros and cons to tobacco control, or public healthcare, or legalizing sex work? I’m Christopher, and I have created engaging Podcast discussions since 2018 to do exactly this. I invite guests involved in these areas to share with me their opinion...

Author

Christopher Balkaran

Episodes

#040: Hate Speech 27.07.2019 1:10:50

Send us Fan Mail Sources used in this episode: Hating Hate: Policy Implications of Hate Crime Legislation Author(s): Beverly A. McPhail Source: Social Service Review , Vol. 74, No. 4 (December 2000), pp. 635-653 Published by: The University of Chicago Press Political Tolerance, Racist Speech, and the Influence of Social Networks Author(s): Allison Harell Source: Social Science Quarterly, Vol. 91,...

#039: Introduction of Heon Lee! 20.07.2019 1:15:29

Send us Fan Mail Welcome Heon Lee: Strong and Free's new co-host! In this episode we discuss Heon's background, and what made him decide to join the Strong and Free Podcast. Encounters with Canada ( https://www.ewc-rdc.ca/pub/en ) MP Mark Warawa: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Warawa --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/strongandfree/support Support the show Visit my NEW Webs...

#038: The Gender Gap: Identity Politics Part 2 14.07.2019 1:17:21

Send us Fan Mail In part two of our series on Identity Politics, Heon and I examine the Gender Gap. We tackle these four areas: 1) A history of the gender gap 2) Implications for today 3) What do current scholars believe 'cause' or contribute to the gender gap? 4) What can govts do to attempt to address this? Sources used: Complexities of the Gender Gap Author(s): Susan E. Howell and Chr...

#037: Identity Politics 07.07.2019 1:07:15

Send us Fan Mail Identity Politics is a hot topic in today's politics. Listen to Heon and I debate the history of the topic and where the movement can go for the future. Sources used: Medium Article: https://medium.com/strong-and-free/is-the-future-of-identity-politics-doomed-9ca55ef9a1e?source=friends_link&sk=64fc8fa56d10090752c99561a5db2348 Statistics Canada 2011 Report on Women and Edu...

#036: Alabama and its Ban on Abortion (Part 4): Special Guest! 21.06.2019 1:07:13

Send us Fan Mail Friends, this episode is quite special. Strong and Free's special guest, Heon Lee helps unpack the State of Alabama's ban on abortion, with detailed research on the Bill and implications. You don't want to miss this episode (and sorry for the poor audio quality!). Sources used: Bill text https://www.al.com/news/2019/05/alabama-abortion-ban-passes-read-the-bill.html...

#035: Abortion Part Three: Understanding the Anti-Abortion Movement 17.06.2019 30:13

Send us Fan Mail Sources Used: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/6/2/451 https://docs.house.gov/meetings/JU/JU10/20171101/106562/HHRG-115-JU10-Wstate-ParkerS-20171101-SD001.pdf https://www.politifact.com/new-hampshire/statements/2015/oct/05/ben-carson/did-margaret-sanger-believe-african-americans-shou/ https://www.academia.edu/38313840/The_Pro-life_Movement_as_a_Liberal_Social_Movement_of_the_1960s -...

#034: Brainstorming a Better Way: Genuine Curiosity! 10.06.2019 20:54

Send us Fan Mail Hi everyone - in this episode I discuss a bit of brainstorming on the Strong and Free brand. Take a listen and let me know what you think! Stay balanced, stay informed!--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/strongandfree/support Support the show Visit my NEW Website! https:// www.christopherbalkaran.com Check out my Instagram/Tik Tok for daily posts: Instagram @openmindspod...

#033: Abortion Part Two: Psychological Effects on Women 03.06.2019 24:49

Send us Fan Mail Listen to my latest podcast on the psychological effects of abortion on women. Sources used: M. A. Biggs, Ushma D. Upadhyay, Julia R. Steinberg and Diana G. Foster, "Does abortion reduce self-esteem and life satisfaction?" Quality of Life Research, Vol. 23, №9 (November, 2014), pp. 2505–2513 Published by: Springer Julia R. Steinberg and Lisa Rubin, Policy Insights from...

#032: Abortion Part One: Personhood 30.05.2019 30:07

Send us Fan Mail Medium Article: https://medium.com/strong-and-free/the-abortion-debate-is-being-undermined-part-one-personhood-6a53ca2c1a8?source=friends_link&sk=af23a274e0038f904315ef9360a7b6d5 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/strongandfree/support Support the show Visit my NEW Website! https:// www.christopherbalkaran.com Check out my Instagram/Tik Tok for daily posts: Instagra...

#031: Anti Vax Movement 20.05.2019 30:22

Send us Fan Mail This topic discusses the Anti-vaccination movement noted as one of the top ten threats to health in 2019 by the WHO. MEDIUM ARTICLE: https://medium.com/strong-and-free/the-rise-of-anti-vax-abadf947045c?source=friends_link&sk=8c62c07c22f7965d945aa963fb7240df--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/strongandfree/support Support the show Visit my NEW Website! https:// www.ch...

#030: Conversations about Education in Ontario 12.05.2019 29:42

Send us Fan Mail Hi Everyone, Sorry for making my content Ontario-focused the last little while! Lots happening over here. Medium Article and YouTube link below. Let me know what you think! MEDIUM ARTICLE: https://medium.com/strong-and-free/im-tired-of-protesters-getting-it-wrong-c04f283b2e46?source=friends_link&sk=86bde70634dcab84c8a6d8ccd87123c3 YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bH...

#029: Cuts to Education? 04.05.2019 27:16

Send us Fan Mail Sources used in this podcast: Liberal Party 2018-19 Education Programs - Other http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/funding/1819/B07_EPO_memo_2018_19_gsn_en.pdf Education Funding 2018-19 - http://www.opsba.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/2018-2019%20Education%20Funding%20Engagement%20Guide.pdf 2018-19 Ontario Budget - http://budget.ontario.ca/2018/budget2018-en.pdf 2019-20 Ontario Budget - ht...

#028: You Should Care About the new 5G Network! 15.04.2019 32:33

Send us Fan Mail Sources used in this podcast: Congressional Research Service, "Fifth-Generation (5G) Telecommunications Technologies: Issues for Congress", United States Government, January 2019: https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R45485 Huawei, "5G Network Architecture: A High Level Perspective," 2016: https://www.huawei.com/minisite/hwmbbf16/insights/5G-Nework-Arc...

#027: Before You Reply Online - Confirmation Bias! 12.04.2019 19:31

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I provide some insights on Confirmation Bias! 1) Present political issues online that invites conversations; not shuts them down. 2) Think about the sources used for the articles you post 3) Look at the comments, likes and engagement. Are people engaging with your content meaningfully, or at all? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/strongandfree/support...

#026: Quebec's Ban on Religious Symbols: Bill 21 09.04.2019 24:55

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I explore the Province of Quebec's ban on religious symbols for certain public servants. Sources used in this podcast include the following: Marie McAndrew and Mahsa Bakhsaei, "The difficult integration of Muslims into Québec since 9/11: International or local dynamics?" International Journal , Vol. 67, No. 4, (Autumn 2012), pp. 931-949 Mereille le...

#025: Before You Reply Online: 02 - Political Sniping! 05.04.2019 20:16

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I explore political sniping in our comments online and provide some tips on how to avoid it. Remember: we want to be conversation starters / continuers (is that a word?) NOT conversation enders! Let me know your thoughts and feedback! Twitter: StrongnFreePod Instagram: strngnfree Facebook/LinkedIn: Strong and Free Podcast Tumblr: strongandfreecad Email: strongand...

#024: Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples 31.03.2019 30:28

Send us Fan Mail Sources used in this podcast: Donna Feir and Robert Hancock’s “A Guide to Reconciliation for Quantitative Social Scientists," https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/a-history-of-residential-schools-in-canada-1.702280 https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/government-apology-to-former-students-of-indian-residential-schools http://nctr.ca/assets/reports/Calls_to_Action_Engli...

#023: Before You Reply Online: 01! 27.03.2019 28:14

Send us Fan Mail I’m excited to share with you a new podcast series (surprise!): “Before You Reply Online”! We’ve all been there: someone posts something on our social media feeds that we absolutely disagree with: maybe it’s just a difference of opinion - or maybe it’s something so deeply upsetting to us, we can’t even fathom to look! So what do we do? We reply! And looking back, it might not have...

#022: Islamophobia 25.03.2019 30:25

Send us Fan Mail Sources used in this episode: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/08/09/muslims-and-islam-key-findings-in-the-u-s-and-around-the-world/ https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/daily-quotidien/181129/dq181129a-eng.pdf?st=y6eEUKfd Defining and Researching Islamophobia Author(s): Erik Bleich Source: Review of Middle East Studies, Vol. 46, No. 2 (Winter 2012), pp. 182. Published by:...

#021: Donald Trump and Immigration Policy 12.03.2019 27:25

Send us Fan Mail In this episode I look at the rhetoric surrounding the immigration debate in the US, and examine how human perception may shape our discourse - for the worse. Let me know what you think!--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/strongandfree/support Support the show Visit my NEW Website! https:// www.christopherbalkaran.com Check out my Instagram/Tik Tok for daily posts: Insta...

#020: SNC Lavalin Mini-series: Part 3 - Deferred Prosecution Agreements 03.03.2019 32:13

Send us Fan Mail In the final instalment of the SNC-Lavalin mini-series, I examine Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs). What is missing is a real understanding of what DPAs are and its effects on the Criminal Code. Sources used include the following: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/snc-lavalin-trudeau-bribery-fraud-wilson-raybould-1.5020498 https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/ci-if/ar-cw/documents/r...

#019: SNC Lavalin Mini-series: Part 2 - Legislation 25.02.2019 26:45

Send us Fan Mail In Part 2 of the Mini-Series on SNC-Lavalin, I examine the legislative environment the company, as a multi-national finds itself in. I examine the Corrupt Foreign Public Officials Act (CFPOA) and its limitations. Sources used in this podcast include the following: https://dspace.library.uvic.ca/bitstream/handle/1828/9253/Ch.%2001_April2018_web.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y https:...

#018: Food for Thought: Public Governance 21.02.2019 6:03

Send us Fan Mail Listen now on why public governance is so critical to major infrastructure projects!--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/strongandfree/support Support the show Visit my NEW Website! https:// www.christopherbalkaran.com Check out my Instagram/Tik Tok for daily posts: Instagram @openmindspod Tiktok @openmindspodcast

#017: SNC Lavalin Mini-series: Part 1 - Public Governance! 17.02.2019 30:17

Send us Fan Mail Tired of all the information about SNC-Lavalin? Listen to Part 1 of a small mini-series on SNC-Lavalin! This first episode will focus on public governance and procurement. Sources used in this podcast include the following:https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/polarisinstitute/pages/29/attachments/original/1420757484/SNC-Lavalin_E.pdf?1420757484http://www.snclavalin.com/en/about-u...

#016: Trans Mountain Expansion Pipeline - Meaningful Engagement with Indigenous Peoples 10.02.2019 26:11

Send us Fan Mail Twitter: StrongnFreeCAD Instagram: strngnfree Facebook/LinkedIn: Strong and Free Podcast Tumblr: strongandfreecad Email: strongandfree2018@gmail.com Sources used in this podcast include the following: TransMountain ULC, Project Description for the Proposed Trans Mountain Expansion Project, May 2013: https://www.burnaby.ca/Assets/TMEP/Project+Description+for+the+TMEP.pdf Sean Khe...