Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

Send us Fan Mail With rising inflation and cost of living, what has this meant for the most marginalized groups in society? If groceries are expensive for the middle class, what about low-income families? Emilly Renaud is the National Coordinator for Canada Without Poverty. The issues affecting low income families and individuals are discussed in this episode.  Episode #162 - Emilly Renaud, Nation...

Send us Fan Mail With rising inflation and cost of living, what has this meant for the most marginalized groups in society? If groceries are expensive for the middle class, what about low-income families? Jyoti Singh is the Executive Director at Nellies in Toronto.   Episode #163 - Jyoti Singh, Executive Director Nellies Toronto 🔗 CONNECT WITH NELLIES 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/nelliesshelt...

Send us Fan Mail Housing prices are going up everywhere, it seems. The City of Toronto recently announced a 46 percent increase to developer fees over the next two years, which will ultimately drive prices up further. Richard Lyall is the President of the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON), to discuss what he sees as the impacts of the City's decision.  🔗 Richard Lyall 🐦 T...

Send us Fan Mail With rising inflation and cost of living, what has this meant for the most marginalized groups in society? If groceries are expensive for the middle class, what about low-income families? John Clarke spent most all his life working for the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) and is now a lecturer at York University. John discusses the gargantuan challenges the poor face in th...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to my new rebrand of the Podcast: Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran! Why did I decide to rebrand the Podcast? How did I land on 'Open Minds'? And where do I see this Podcast going? Listen now! CONNECT WITH CHRISTOPHER  🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/CABalkaran 📸 Instagram - https://instagram.com/openmindspod 💻 Website - Still working on the new one! 👥 Lin...

Send us Fan Mail I sit down with Gordon Bauer to discuss Electric Vehicles and the impact this can have on low-income households. Really fascinating discussion! Gordon Bauer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordon-bauer-8834b277 Research: "When might low income households benefit from electric vehicles?" - https://theicct.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/EV-equity-feb2021.pdf Support the show...

Send us Fan Mail Professor Mike Pesko's Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikepesko About Professor Pesko : https://aysps.gsu.edu/profile/michael-pesko/# Check out my series on Tobacco Control - https://www.thestrongandfreepodcast.com/category/tobacco-control-harm-reduction/ Check out my other episodes! GUN VIOLENCE: https://www.thestrongandfreepodcast.com/category/the-gun-violence-conversation/ A...

Send us Fan Mail I sit down with Andy West, for our second conversation on attitudes to Climate Change. Andy's research shows that attitudes are more reliably predicted based less on political leanings, and more on religiosity! ANDY WEST'S RESEARCH: https://judithcurry.com/2020/04/17/can-religiosity-predict-cultural-climate-beliefs/ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5...

Send us Fan Mail Hi everyone!  Happy New Year! I've uploaded a short podcast explaining where I'm taking Strong and Free next!! Can't wait to share more content with you! Links: YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/StrongandFreePodcast Judith Curry - https://www.thestrongandfreepodcast.com/category/climate-change/ Blogs - https://thestrongandfreepodcast.medium.com Support the show Vi...

Send us Fan Mail In January, I released my conversation with Judith Curry. To-date, it is the most downloaded and listened to Podcast I've ever produced. This is my follow-up conversation. Message me at www.thestrongandfreepodcast.com and let me know what you think! My first conversation with Judith Curry: https://www.thestrongandfreepodcast.com/climate-change-a-different-perspective-with-pro...

Send us Fan Mail I share my perspectives on the Capital Punishment series and some learnings along the way.  Support the show Visit my NEW Website! https:// www.christopherbalkaran.com Check out my Instagram/Tik Tok for daily posts:  Instagram @openmindspod Tiktok @openmindspodcast

Send us Fan Mail Despite most being heavily divided on capital punishment, it is very challenging finding thoughtful voices supporting death penalty. Josh Marquis, former District Attorney of Clatsop County is a supporter of capital punishment and has written extensively on the topic. About Joshua Marquis -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Marquis Joshua Marquis Blog -- https://www.coastda.co...

Send us Fan Mail I have mentioned before the importance of reading for this Podcast and life in general. In this new series, I'm going to highlight a book that I've completed that has helped shape my perspective for this and future Podcast episodes. In my first episode, I discuss the Bhagavad Gita - an ancient story from the Mahabharata. Thousands of years later, this story is still reve...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to my new series on Capital Punishment. Lindsey Vann, Executive Director of Justice360 discusses some of the challenges in representing those convicted of capital sentences in the State of South Carolina. Justice 360 -- https://justice360sc.org/ About Lindsey Vann -- https://justice360sc.org/all-staff/ Support the show Visit my NEW Website! https:// www.christopherbalkaran...

Send us Fan Mail My conversation with John Clarke, anti-poverty activist, is on his opposition to a Basic Income system. John raises a very compelling case as to why a Basic Income system is not ideal at addressing the issues poor people are facing. Thank you John for your willingness to discuss this issue with me!  John Clarke - https://twitter.com/JohnOCAP?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%...

Send us Fan Mail Is there something to be said about our existence on earth and its link with work? What if governments took care of our basic necessities? How would this factor into this purpose? And could a Basic Income system be used as justification by governments to reduce spending on social welfare programs? If the government is providing a basic income for the necessities in life, does that...

Send us Fan Mail I hope you're enjoying my series on Basic Income! It seems many of you enjoy my reflections episode, so I thought to do another! Today I share my reflections on the Canadian election, Basic Income and my recent trip to Ikea. VIEW --- https://youtu.be/72TIKjiDBvM LISTEN --- https://www.thestrongandfreepodcast.com/episodes/ FOLLOW --- https://twitter.com/StrongnFreePod READ ---...

Send us Fan Mail Most debates and conversations on Basic Income do not include voices of recipients of Basic Income themselves. I wanted to ensure that voice was incorporated in my series on the topic. Jessie Golem was the recipient of Ontario's Basic Income Pilot and has since been an advocate for its continuation. Jessie undertook a photography project with other recipients, entitled, &quot...

Send us Fan Mail Critics of a Basic Income System usually point to its cost and question whether not such a program incentivizes people to work. To my surprise, there are many concerns emerging from those that are concerned about our social welfare institutions themselves. Does Basic Income provide governments the ability to take funds away from other social welfare programs, such as healthcare an...

Send us Fan Mail Hugh Segal, Former Senator and Canadian Political Strategist and was chief of staff to Ontario Premier Bill Davis and later to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. He helped design the Ontario Basic Income Pilot for Kathleen Wynne's government in 2016 and is an ardent supporter of a Basic Income System. Research cited: 2018 Angus Reid Poll: https://angusreid.org/poverty-in-canada-p...

Send us Fan Mail I hope you are enjoying your summer! I share with you a new Podcast, which includes my ramblings on what is happening in Afghanistan, the federal election in Canada and more! LINKS: Thomas Barfield - Afghanistan: A Cultural and Political History Can Religion Address Your Anxiety? LISTEN --- https://www.thestrongandfreepodcast.com/episodes/ FOLLOW --- https://twitter.com/StrongnFre...

Send us Fan Mail I am so thankful to have Joyce Arthur, Executive Director of the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada, on for a second time on this Podcast. Joyce has been very open with me answering all my questions! In this episode, Joyce responds to the issues raised by Jakki Jeffs of the Alliance for Life Ontario - specifically, Joyce responds to the research and other points raised by Jakki....

Send us Fan Mail Jakki Jeffs, Executive Director of the Alliance for Life of Ontario explains the organization's new research, website and addresses issues of being labeled as spreading misinformation and dangerous content.  This is my second conversation with Jakki. My first conversation, part of my series on Abortion, can be found here: https://www.thestrongandfreepodcast.com/the-pro-life-a...

Send us Fan Mail I had the privilege to have a conversation with my longtime friend Edwin Frondozo (@edwin100x) about all the great projects he has going on - most importantly "100x".  I first met Edwin when we were doing Toastmasters together in Toronto. His energy and comfort standing up in front of a group of strangers was remarkable. As I came to knew Edwin, I realized how powerful h...

Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit my NEW Website! https:// www.christopherbalkaran.com Check out my Instagram/Tik Tok for daily posts:  Instagram @openmindspod Tiktok @openmindspodcast