Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

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

Send us Fan Mail I chat with Dr. Gan Quan and Omara Dogar from the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union). We discuss why tobacco control is the best policy governments can pursue and what some of the dangers might be with vaping and e-cigarette products. The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease or The Union, is a global scientific organization h...

Send us Fan Mail I chat with Cliff Douglas, on tobacco control/harm reduction measures and the need for sensible policy on tobacco moving forward.  Cliff Douglas is a long-time expert on a wide range of tobacco-related policy, regulatory and legal issues, ranging from federal regulation of tobacco products and the challenges and potential benefits of e-cigarettes to the widening disparities in the...

Send us Fan Mail I chat with Samrat Chowdhery, President of the International Network of Nicotine Consumer Organizations (INNCO) about the merits of a harm reduction approach to tobacco.  INNCO -- https://innco.org/ Samrat Chowdhery -- https://innco.org/about-us/ Support the show Visit my NEW Website! https:// www.christopherbalkaran.com Check out my Instagram/Tik Tok for daily posts:  Instagram @...

Send us Fan Mail I talk to Alex Clark, CEO of the Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternative Association (CASAA). We discuss why harm reduction should be the preferred method of public policy. CASAA is a consumer advocacy nonprofit organization, dedicated to empowering consumers and representing their interests in various legislative, policy-making and rule-making areas. CASAA -- https://casaa....

Send us Fan Mail I chat with Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator of the  Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates to discuss the variety of tobacco/cigarette uptake globally and why harm reduction practices are the best policy for governments to pursue.  The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) is an alliance between the Tobacco Harm Reduction Advoc...

Send us Fan Mail I chat with Professor Brad Rodu, DDS, School of Medicine at the University of Louisville. For twenty-five years Dr. Rodu has published research on tobacco harm reduction, involving the adoption of vastly safer tobacco products by smokers who are unable or unwilling to quit with conventional cessation methods.   Professor Brad Rodu --- https://louisville.edu/medicine/research/cance...

Send us Fan Mail Chris Bostic is ASH’s Policy Director and has been working in global tobacco control since 2001 when he attended the negotiations for the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control as a civil society international law expert. ASH --- https://ash.org/ VIEW --- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5JKJC9prqNuvrcR844cLjw LISTEN --- https://www.thestrongandfreepodcast.com/episodes/ FOLLOW -...

Send us Fan Mail I had a fascinating discussion with Curt Jaimungal and Desh Amila, the creators of a new documentary called "Better Left Unsaid".  It is great to see more people concerned with our political polarization. Link below to the documentary. Better Left Unsaid Better Left Unsaid is an independent documentary that explores the dangerous tactics of extremism across the Western p...

Send us Fan Mail My second conversation with Rod Giltaca, CEO and ED of the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights (CCFR), includes his responses to the psychological effects of gun violence. CCFR Civil Advantage My Podcast with Dr. Joshua Ng-Kamstra, Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns Research cited by Dr. Joshua Ng-Kamstra Support the show Visit my NEW Website! https:// www.christopherbalk...

Send us Fan Mail Lyra McKee is the Co-Executive Director of PACE Society,  a peer-driven organization located in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver that provides support, advocacy, and education by, with, and for current and former sex workers of all genders. PACE Society Support the show Visit my NEW Website! https:// www.christopherbalkaran.com Check out my Instagram/Tik Tok for daily posts:  In...

Send us Fan Mail I speak to Shae Invidiata, Founder and Executive Director of Free Them to discuss human trafficking and why we should all be concerned with this topic. Free Them 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 Kim Pyke discusses her experiences as a sex worker and many of the challenges faced. Kim featured in the Toronto Star Stepping Stone NS 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 Alex MacDonnell is the Executive Director of Stepping Stone, the only non-profit organization in the Maritimes that supports women, men, and transgender persons currently and formerly involved in the sex trade by contributing to their health, safety and well-being. Stepping Stone NS Support the show Visit my NEW Website! https:// www.christopherbalkaran.com Check out my Instagram/...

Send us Fan Mail Andy West discusses the cultural narrative that is climate change. Climate Etc. Andy West's Articles. 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 Judith A. Curry is an American climatologist and former chair of the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology . Professor Curry discusses the issues with climate change modelling and what governments should focus on. Judith Curry Climate Etc. LISTEN --- https://www.thestrongandfreepodcast.com/episodes/ FOLLOW --- https://twitter.com/StrongnFr...

Send us Fan Mail I sit down with Professor Mark Jaccard to discuss his experiences The Citizens' Guide to Climate Success (Christopher's book of 2020!) 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 I sit down with Cauldrick Woods, a Peer Mentor at Amadeusz Toronto to discuss what drew him to a life of crime. Amadeusz Toronto Annual Report 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 I sit down with Kim and Tina from Amadeusz Toronto, which is a not-for-profit organization in Toronto, which supports young people who are incarcerated to create positive change in their lives through access to education, community supports, mentorship, and exceptional care. Amadeusz Toronto Look at my Life: Access to Education for the Remand Population in Ontario Amadeusz 2019 An...

Send us Fan Mail I sit down with Dr. Joshua Ng-Kamstra to discuss the Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns and what the organization is advocating governments do moving forward. Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns 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 I talk to Ken Price from the Danforth Families for Safe Communities on gun violence and what governments need to do moving forward. The Danforth Families for Safe Communities (DFSC) The Danforth shooting in Toronto DFSC's National Call for Gun Ban Support the show Visit my NEW Website! https:// www.christopherbalkaran.com Check out my Instagram/Tik Tok for daily posts:  Insta...

Send us Fan Mail I sit down with Amber Wardell, Communications Coordinator of the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses (OAITH) to discuss gun violence as it relates to Intimate Partner Violence.  https://www.oaith.ca/ www.thestrongandfreepodcast.com Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purcha...

Send us Fan Mail I speak to Rod Giltaca, CEO and Executive Director of the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights. Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights Civil Advantage YouTube Channel The Strong and Free Podcast 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 After over 30 years in prison, Ricky Atkinson shares his perspectives on growing up with gangs, firearms and provides recommendations on the pathway forward. This includes a multi-pronged approach to reaching youth, including working with former gang leaders and social programs.  Ricky Atkinson spent over 30 years in federal prison. As leader of the Dirty Tricks Gang, Ricky was in...

Send us Fan Mail I sit down with Louis March, head of the Zero Gun Violence Movement in Toronto to discuss the objectives, aims and what the group wants to see happen from all levels of government. Zero Gun Violence Movement (ZGVM): http://zerogunviolence-movement.com/ Louis March: https://twitter.com/LouisMarchTO?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor www.thestrongandfreepodcast.c...