Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

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Why does the Western narrative on Ukraine feel so one-sided? In this episode of the Open Minds Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Ivan Katchanovski, a Ukrainian-Canadian political scientist whose peer-reviewed research sheds a sobering light on Ukraine’s internal divisions, the roots of war, and the media’s oversimplified story. 

We talk about Crimea, Donbas, NATO and the infamous Maidan sniper massacre—an event that reshape...

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Interestingly, Canadians have shown their support for capital punishment almost 50 years of polling data. In 2025, Research Co. found that approximately 54 percent of Canadians agree with capital punishment, which has largely remained unchanged since the 1970s. 

I sit down with Mario Canseco, president of ResearchCo. While Canada abolished the death penalty in 1976, public support remains surprisingly strong. What driv...

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Christopher Balkaran dives into Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program with Professor Jason Foster from Athabasca University. We explore the realities of migrant labor, the economic dependency on foreign workers, and the impact on Canadian workers. Is the program a necessary economic tool, or has it become a permanent fixture in our labor market? Join us for a deep dive into the policies, challenges, and future of ...

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On the three-year anniversary of the Freedom Convoy, I sit down with former Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly to unpack the complexities of one of the most significant protests in modern Canadian history. From media narratives to the role of law enforcement, we explore what really happened in February 2022 and what it reveals about Canada’s social and political fabric. Was there a policing solution to the Freedom Convoy...

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I sit down with Dr. Kerry Bowman, a Canadian bioethicist and environmentalist, to discuss the ethical implications of vaccine mandates and pandemic policies. We explore the balance between individual autonomy and collective responsibility, the unintended consequences of strict public health measures, and how marginalized groups—including Indigenous communities and those with disabilities—were affected.

Dr. Bowman also ...

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I sit down with Dr. Robert Klitzman—director of the Masters of Bioethics program at Columbia University—to delve into the complex intersections of medicine, ethics, and culture. In this episode, we explore fascinating stories from Papua New Guinea, the cultural roots of disease understanding, the profound vulnerability of patients, and the challenges of doctor-patient communication. Dr. Klitzman’s insights on holistic...

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How has border security evolved with technology? In this episode of the Open Minds Podcast, I sit down with Professor Rey Koslowski, a leading scholar on border control and migration.

I explore how AI, drones, biometrics, and facial recognition are transforming border management—raising both security concerns and ethical questions.

💡 Topics Discussed:

✅ The first border sensors from Vietnam War-era military surplus

✅ The...

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I welcome back Chloe Smellink, psychotherapist-in-training, for a deep dive into men’s mental health, the stigma surrounding therapy, the troubling rise of MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) in Canada, and the broader societal issues affecting mental well-being. 

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome Back, Chloe

05:00 – How Men Approach Mental Health

12:00 – The Cost of Avoiding Difficult Conversations

20:00 – The Silent Crisis: Why Me...

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I sit down with Dr. Ramona Coelho to revisit the complex and controversial topic of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada. Dr. Coelho shares insights from recent Health Canada and Ontario coroner reports, revealing safety concerns, ethical dilemmas, and the societal failures that lead many to seek MAiD. We discuss cases driven by financial constraints, housing insecurity, and loneliness, and explore how Canada’...

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I engage with Jessica Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, to break down the complexities and consequences of modern immigration policies. Jessica shares insights from her extensive experience in immigration policy, including her work with the U.S. Foreign Service and the Department of Justice.

Key topics include:

•Mass Immigration and Labour Distortions: How unchecked immigration p...

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I continue my conversation with NOAA’s Tom Knutson, diving deeper into the multi-decadal view of hurricane patterns in the Atlantic. Together, we explore the complexities of hurricane frequency and intensity, uncovering why the long-term, multi-decadal variability is crucial in understanding Atlantic hurricane activity.

Tom shares insights into two leading theories explaining Atlantic variability—shifts in the Atlantic...

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In this episode, I am joined by climate expert Tom Knutson to explore the nuanced science of climate change, focusing on Atlantic hurricane patterns, extreme rainfall, and the complexities of climate modelling. Tom sheds light on the challenges in attributing natural disasters to human influence, emphasizing the importance of understanding multi-decadal variability, regional factors, and the limitations of current dat...

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Chloe Smellink and Christopher Balkaran explore a range of topics including political assumptions, media influence, LGBTQAI+ representation, and the importance of mental health, particularly for men. They discuss the societal pressures that shape perceptions and behaviours, the role of communication in relationships, and the need for a holistic approach to health. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of curiosity,...

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A bit of a different take: I engage in a deep conversation with Professor Matthew Alan Sears, a classical historian specializing in ancient Greek history. We explore the power of historical narratives, their influence on public memory, and how these narratives shape political ideologies, drawing connections between ancient history and contemporary politics.

1.Introduction to Professor Matthew Alan Sears (00:0...

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I sit down with Ethan, founder of Take Back Canada, to delve into the motivations behind the movement, the complexities of Canada’s immigration policies, and the influence of corporate interests on government decisions. Ethan shares his views on the need to reassess the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and reflects on the broader implications for Canada’s future.

1.Introduction and Ethan’s Background (00:00 -...

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In this episode, I dive into the creeping surveillance state emerging in Australia and explore how fear and crisis drive governments to implement draconian measures that chip away at civil liberties. We examine the pivotal 2014 Sydney Siege, which catalyzed sweeping changes in Australia’s security laws, and discuss how psychological biases like the availability heuristic and groupthink shape public opinion. From metad...

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Christopher interviews Ambassador Jerry Feierstein, a veteran diplomat and Middle East expert, to explore the intricacies behind the Abraham Accords. They discuss the historical context, economic motivations, and security dynamics that led to the normalization of relations between Israel and several Arab states. The conversation delves into the sidelining of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the shifting power dynamic...