Shows
Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran#229: Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program - Fix or Problem? With Jason FosterSend us a textChristopher 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 Canada’s labor force.🎙 Host: Christopher Balkaran📢 Guest: Jason F...2025-03-1847 minOpen Minds with Christopher Balkaran#218: Chloe Smellinck: Mental Health for Men and Social PressuresSend us a textChloe 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, acceptance, and the balance between personal and professional life.Check out Chloe:Instagram: @chloecantsmellhttps://www.litemindbody.com/chloeSupport the showVisit my NEW Website! https...2024-10-081h 04Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran#213: The Abraham Accords and Middle Eastern Geopolitics: US Ambassador Gerald FeiersteinSend us a textChristopher 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 dynamics in the region, and the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy. This episode offers listeners a nuanced perspective on one of the most significant diplomatic developments in recent Middle Eastern history.Support the...2024-08-2050 minOpen Minds with Christopher Balkaran#211: The Spiral of Silence and How it's Terrible for Us, Christopher BalkaranSend us a textFriends - a quick episode introducing the concept of the 'Spiral of Silence'. The Spiral of Silence Theory, proposed by Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann, suggests that individuals may be less likely to express their opinions if they perceive that they are in the minority, due to fear of isolation or social rejection. This can lead to a situation where the dominant opinion appears even more dominant, while dissenting voices remain silent.What are your thoughts? Also, subscribe to my Blog, where I'll be talking about this at greater length: openminds.substack.com2024-08-0817 minOpen Minds with Christopher Balkaran#209: Joe Biden and Divisions Within the Democratic Party, Dr. Alison DagnesSend us a textIn this conversation, Christopher Balkaran and Alison discuss the recent political events, including Joe Biden's presidency, the attempted assassination on Donald Trump, and the Democratic Party's internal dynamics. They explore the pressure on Biden to step down, the loyalty of his advisors, and the impact of polling data on his decision-making. Alison highlights the personal challenges Biden has faced throughout his life and the resilience he has shown. They also touch on the divisions within the Democratic Party and the Republican Party's initial confidence in winning the election. The conversation explores the perception...2024-08-011h 06Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran#206: Instagram Debates with Open Minds: Christopher and Isidora on Respectful DisagreementSend us a textChristopher and Isidora discuss their unique approach to engaging in respectful conversations despite their differing perspectives. They explore the reasons behind political polarization, the use of violent lexicon in political discourse, and the challenges of gender-affirming care. They also discuss the need for more open conversations in Canada and the importance of providing psychological support for individuals considering gender-affirming surgeries. The conversation explores the differences in perspectives and experiences between men and women when it comes to decision-making, political ideologies, and workplace dynamics. It delves into the complexities of gender identity and how...2024-07-151h 52
SuperseenChristopher Balkaran: Open Your Mind To Different OpinionsThemes: Spirituality, Public Policy, Difficult Conversations, Learning to be Okay with Differing Opinions
Christopher Balkaran started his Open Minds podcast in 2018 after he realized he had become stagnant and unhappy in his life and work. He had worked in government for years, and could see firsthand how bureaucracy and politics has effected our ability to have open discourse as a society. He saw a major need for unbiased content on a variety of hot topics so that individuals could feel heard, think critically and learn to disagree respectfully.
In t...2023-07-061h 05Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran#181: The Three Skills I Wish I Learned in School, Christopher Balkaran Gives a Talk at York UniversitySend us a textSupport the showVisit my NEW Website! https://www.christopherbalkaran.comCheck out my Instagram/Tik Tok for daily posts: Instagram @openmindspodTiktok @openmindspodcast2023-04-1119 minOpen Minds with Christopher Balkaran#180: How Does One Navigate Modern Dating?Send us a textNothing is changing more rapidly it seems, like modern dating. I wanted to explore this further by having both male and female perspectives share their views on modern dating and what they expect from the other on first dates, finances and building a connection.The results were fascinating. What do you think about this? Send me an email to christopher@openmindspodcast.com, or visit my website, www.openmindspodcast.com to let me know more!Support the showVisit my NEW Website! https://www.christopherbalkaran.com2023-03-281h 18