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

#115: The Gun Violence Conversation: The National Firearms Association 03.11.2020 1:09:52

Send us Fan Mail I sit down with Sheldon Clare, the President of the National Firearms Association. Sheldon Clare - https://twitter.com/sheldon_clare?lang=en National Firearms Association - https://nfa.ca/ The Strong and Free Podcast - www.thestrongandfreepodcast.com Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purch...

#114: The Abortion Debate: Final Thoughts 28.10.2020 29:29

Send us Fan Mail Listen now to my final thoughts on the Abortion debate. After four episodes, each profiling pro-life and pro-choice groups, I've gathered my thoughts and have put them here. Final Thoughts on Abortion: https://www.thestrongandfreepodcast.com/blog/ The Website: www.thestrongandfreepodcast.com Support the show Visit my NEW Website! https:// www.christopherbalkaran.com Check ou...

#113: The Pro-Choice Perspective: A Conversation with Dr. Jill Doctoroff, National Abortion Federation Canada 24.10.2020 46:39

Send us Fan Mail I sit down with Dr. Doctoroff, Canadian Director of the National Abortion Federation Canada to discuss access to clinics and education on abortion. https://nafcanada.org/ Support the show Visit my NEW Website! https:// www.christopherbalkaran.com Check out my Instagram/Tik Tok for daily posts: Instagram @openmindspod Tiktok @openmindspodcast

#112: The Pro Life Abortion Perspective: A Conversation with Jakki Jeffs, Executive Director at Alliance for Life Ontario 17.10.2020 1:02:31

Send us Fan Mail I sit down with Jakki Jeffs to learn more about the Pro Life movement and what the Alliance for Life Ontario's message is on the abortion debate. --- 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 @openmind...

#111: The Pro Choice Abortion Perspective: Joyce Arthur, ED Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada 10.10.2020 1:01:52

Send us Fan Mail I sit down with Joyce Arthur, Executive Director of the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (ARCC) to discuss her views on Abortion and what the goals of ARCC are. --- 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 Tik...

#110: The Pro Life Abortion Perspective: Cam Cote, Centre for Canadian Bio-Ethical Reform (CCBR) 03.10.2020 59:35

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with Cam Cote of the Centre for Canadian Bio-Ethical Research (CCBR) to get a better perspective of their Pro-Life stance on abortion. --- 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 Tikt...

#109: The Right Mindset: A Conversation with Sean Zahedi 26.09.2020 1:05:42

Send us Fan Mail Sean and I talk about having the right mindset in being successful.--- 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

#108: Community Policing with the LGBTQ2S Community: A Conversation with Sgt. Henry Dyck of the Toronto Police 19.09.2020 1:32:51

Send us Fan Mail I sit down with Sgt. Henry Dyck (@TDotGayCop) to learn about the work the Toronto Police is doing with the LGBTQ2S community. --- 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

#107: Digital Democracy with Minister Audrey Tang! 12.09.2020 1:02:00

Send us Fan Mail I chat with Minister Audrey Tang, of the government of Taiwan about Digital Democracy.--- 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

#106: Mid Year Check In and Summer Break! 23.07.2020 17:44

Send us Fan Mail I discuss where the Podcast has been in 2020 and where it's headed. And, I'm taking a Summer Break!--- 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

#105: Community Policing: A Conversation with Sgt. Jeff Zammit of the Toronto Police 07.07.2020 1:04:38

Send us Fan Mail I discuss the critical need for community-based policing with Sgt. Jeff Zammit of the Toronto Police. We also discuss the Neighbourhood Community Officer Program in Toronto.--- 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 @openmin...

#104: Race-based Data Collection and COVID-19: A Chat with Dr. Vinita Dubey 27.06.2020 34:27

Send us Fan Mail I discuss the City of Toronto's decision to collect race-based and socioeconomic data from those testing positive for COVID-19 with Dr. Vinita Dubey.--- 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 @openm...

#103: Enforcing the Law and the Need for Community-based Policing 14.06.2020 29:12

Send us Fan Mail I attempt to unpack the nuances of community issues and the challenges police face enforcing the law. --- 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

#102: Youth Hidden in Plain Sight: Part 2 - Warren Abbey 07.06.2020 55:42

Send us Fan Mail I sit down with Warren Abbey for Part 2 of our conversation from March (link: https://anchor.fm/strongandfree/episodes/Youth-Hidden-in-Plain-Sight-Warren-Abbeys-Story-on-Guns--Gangs-and-Violence-ebb1lq) to discuss his time in prison and what changes could be made to provide hope for those in jail. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/strongandfree/support Support the show...

#101: George Floyd 31.05.2020 19:11

Send us Fan Mail What solutions can we build from the death of George Floyd?--- 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

#100: 72 Days: 05 - A Chat with Dr. Kenton White on COVID-19 and Data Collection 23.05.2020 55:27

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 5, Heon and I sit down with Dr. Kenton White, Chief Data Scientist at Advanced Symbolics Inc . --- 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

#099: 72 Days: 04 -The Canada Emergency Relief Benefit and, AI? 17.05.2020 1:08:23

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Heon and I discuss the Canada Emergency Relief Benefit (CERB) and contemplate a needs-based idea that relies on technology to deliver government benefits tailored to you.--- 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: Inst...

#098: 72 Days: 03 - Why the WHO? 09.05.2020 1:02:45

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Heon and I examine the need for an international body called the World Health Organization. --- 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

#097: 72 Days: 02: A Serious Conversation on the Role of Government in a Pandemic 02.05.2020 1:14:03

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 02, Heon and I examine the roles of the Minister of Health, Chief of Public Health and the Prime Minister. --- 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

#096: 72 Days: Justin Trudeau's Reality Pre-COVID-19 24.04.2020 29:19

Send us Fan Mail In this new series, we examine the federal government's response to COVID-19. Our first episode examines the political landscape Justin Trudeau finds himself after the October, 2019 election. Three main issues are facing the Liberal Party of Canada: - Regionalism - Alienation of Staunch Supporters - Indigenous Protests (Wet'suwet'en) --- Support this podcast: htt...

#095: Power of Positivity - 25 - The End - Onto the Next! 19.04.2020 9:38

Send us Fan Mail Thank you for being part of this great series! This will mark the end of the Power of Positivity Series!--- 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

#094: Power of Positivity - 24 - Start Thinking About the Transition! 18.04.2020 11:50

Send us Fan Mail What will transition look like for you once the restrictions are lifted?--- 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

#093: Power of Positivity - 23 - Stay Balanced 16.04.2020 11:50

Send us Fan Mail Keep perspective of the things that evoke strong emotion for you.--- 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

#092: Power of Positivity - 22 - Don't be Afraid of Losses 15.04.2020 11:53

Send us Fan Mail Embrace loss in pursuit of your goals!--- 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

#091: Power of Positivity - 21 - Relentlessly Pursue your goals! 14.04.2020 11:56

Send us Fan Mail Think about your goals and don't be scared to be a novice!--- 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