Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran - podcast cover

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

Christopher Balkaranwww.thestrongandfreepodcast.com
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 opinions. My hope is that through this natural exploration, I can craft a Podcast experience that attempts to build bridges during a time when we need it the most. Join me as I attempt to uncover these issues with true, genuine curiosity.
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Episodes

#087: Power of Positivity - 17 - Stay Productive to Fight the Negative Energy!

Send us a text Choose 3 goals you want to complete today!--- 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...

Apr 10, 202012 min

#086: Power of Positivity - 16 - Fight your Worry!

Send us a text Stay positive today everyone and fight your internal worries!--- 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...

Apr 09, 202011 min

#085: Power of Positivity - 15 - Treat Yourself!

Send us a text Treat yourself and set some goals to fight the negativity!--- 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...

Apr 08, 202012 min

#084: Power of Positivity - 14 - Embrace Failure!

Send us a text Think about failure and think about how you can learn from it in achieving 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...

Apr 07, 202014 min

#083: Power of Positivity - 13 - Stay Positive around Negativity, define your biggest challenges to your goals

Send us a text Tips to stay positive around negative people and energy! And identify the reasons why you didn't achieve your goals for today!--- 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...

Apr 06, 202013 min

#082: Power of Positivity - 12 - Fight Worry and Add to your Stock!

Send us a text Today is a perfect day to add to your stock of knowledge and/or state of mind. Listen now!--- 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...

Apr 05, 202014 min

#081: Power of Positivity - 11 - Choose what you give LIFE to!

Send us a text Today, keep the positivity going and choose what you give life to!--- 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...

Apr 04, 202016 min

#080: Power of Positivity - 10 - Reframe your State of Mind!

Send us a text We can't choose this reality we're in. We can change our mentality!--- 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...

Apr 03, 202013 min

#079: Power of Positivity - 09 - Envision the Day Back to Normalcy!

Send us a text Think about what you want to tell people you accomplished during the lockdown!--- 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...

Apr 02, 202013 min

#078: Power of Positivity - 08 - Choose Positivity!

Send us a text Happy April! Choose positivity, despite the amount of negativity out there. It's your day! Make it amazing!--- 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...

Apr 01, 202013 min

#077: Power of Positivity - 07 - What is your Biggest Goal / Idea?

Send us a text Visioning, goal setting and fighting lethargy is extremely important during this time. --- 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...

Mar 31, 202013 min

#076: Power of Positivity - 06 - Time Thiefs!

Send us a text Identify your Time thiefs / Dragons and build an action plan to fight against them.--- 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...

Mar 30, 202013 min

#075: Power of Positivity - 05 - Identify your Dragons

Send us a text In this episode, I discuss how important it is to identify the things that may be keeping you from your goals! Instagram: @topherbrownies--- 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...

Mar 29, 202013 min

#074: Power of Positivity - 04 - Visualization, Do one thing and Journal

Send us a text Keep the positive energy going. Journaling is a great way to keep the creativity flowing. --- 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...

Mar 28, 202013 min

#073: Power of Positivity - 03 - Clean your Space, Choose your Media, Give Back

Send us a text Gillian Smith provides some tips on what types of media to consume and striking the balance between staying informed and reading the news all day.--- 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...

Mar 26, 202013 min

#072: Power of Positivity - 02 - Exercise and Healthy Nutrition While in Self Isolation!

Send us a text I know this episode is about maintaining health, but check out my Instagram page where I'll begin selling brownies! @topherbrownies --- 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...

Mar 25, 202014 min

#071: Power of Positivity - Begin Fighting COVID-19 with your Energy

Send us a text A positive mindset will flatten the curve of COVID-19 in addition to the other measures discussed. --- 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...

Mar 24, 202014 min

#070: Analyzing the Coverage of the 2020 Ontario Teacher's Strike

Send us a text Heon Lee and I analyze nearly 200 media articles over 30 days on the Ontario Teacher's Strike.--- 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...

Mar 15, 202055 min

#069: Youth Hidden in Plain Sight: Warren Abbey's Story on Guns, Gangs and Violence

Send us a text Warren Abbey has spent over 11 yrs in prison and since, has written a Creative Writing book called "Honour Thy Brother" and is working to reform youth and help them make better choices in their lives. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/02/10/i-didnt-expect-to-live-past-25-the-toronto-man-with-the-most-famous-tattoo-in-canadian-jurisprudence-on-life-after-prison.html https://warrenabbey.com/ youtu.be/0J-Tfj-zfrA --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/strongandfree/support S...

Mar 07, 202053 min

#068: Getting Young People Active: Vanessa Lodge

Send us a text Vanessa Lodge works with marginalized communities in the sport and recreation space. We sit down to discuss the impacts sport and recreation can have on young people. https://www.guelphbasketball.com/ https://www.coachesontario.ca/ --- 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...

Feb 29, 20201 hr 6 min

#067: Artificial Intelligence: A Conversation with Erin Kelly, President and CEO of Advanced Symbolics Inc.

Send us a text Erin Kelly is President and CEO of Advanced Symbolics Inc, https://advancedsymbolics.com/ Erin's article in the Globe and Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/how-our-company-called-trumps-win/article32843425/ Erin interviewed on TVO's The Agenda: https://www.tvo.org/video/erin-kelly-gauging-the-emotions-of-canadian-voters https://www.tvo.org/video/erin-kelly-canada-after-the-vote--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/strongandfree/support S...

Feb 22, 202047 min

#066: Artificial Intelligence and Refugee Claims

Send us a text Petra Molnar, is Acting Director at the University of Toronto's International Human Rights Program. https://www.law.utoronto.ca/faculty-staff/staff/petra-molnar https://citizenlab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/IHRP-Automated-Systems-Report-Web-V2.pdf --- 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 @openmindspod...

Feb 15, 20201 hr 12 min

#065: Oliver Lane and his Journey as a Trans Athlete

Send us a text Oliver Lane is a transgender athlete and recent graduate of the University of Guelph. A Rookie of the Year, MVP and Ontario University Athletics Athlete of the Year Oliver’s story is highlighted here: https://usports.ca/en/sports/field-hockey/f/news/2018/10/1354109896/oliver-lane-guelph-gryphon --- 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:...

Feb 08, 20201 hr 1 min

#064: The Barriers Still Faced by the LGBTQ2S community: A Conversation with Jacq Hixson-Vulpe

Send us a text Jacq Hixson-Vulpe is currently a Senior Consultant at the 519 and authored the "Creating Authentic Spaces" document: https://www.the519.org/education-training/training-resources/our-resources/creating-authentic-spaces The 519: https://www.the519.org/ --- 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 @openmindspod...

Feb 01, 20201 hr 9 min

#063: The LGBTQ Community and the Conservative Movement: A Conversation with Jamie Ellerton

Send us a text Jamie Ellerton is Principal at Conaptus, Limited. https://conaptus.com/team-members Medium Article on NY Resolutions: https://medium.com/@strongandfree2018/a-humble-plea-to-set-new-years-resolutions-341e2b93c5b7?source=friends_link&sk=0f6d1694b7f3c0a6575cc347c739ef35 --- 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...

Jan 11, 20201 hr 6 min

#062: How do we Restore Balance in our Conversations? End of Year/Decade Reflection!

Send us a text Listen to Munisha and I discuss how to restore balance in our conversations when it comes to politics. Happy Holidays and wishing you all the best for 2020 and beyond!--- 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...

Dec 24, 201947 min

#061: Climate Change: How Industries are reducing their Carbon Footprint

Send us a text Todd Anderson has over 20 years experience in the energy sector - specifically in wind and solar. I sit down with him to discuss the innovative ways industries are reducing their emissions. And, what governments can do to help. --- 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...

Dec 14, 201953 min

#060: Youth and Politics: the Generation after Milennials

Send us a text Ann Nguyen sat down with me to discuss her interest in politics and her involvement in the Toronto Youth Cabinet - an organization that directly works with Toronto's City Councillors. Check them out at http://thetyc.ca/ --- 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...

Dec 07, 201959 min

#059: Peter Downing and WEXIT's Constitution

Send us a text For all the coverage of Wexit, surprisingly no one is talking about the Organization's Constitution. In this episode, I sit down with Peter Downing to discuss WEXIT's Constitution, which can be found here: https://wexitalberta.com/constitution.html --- 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 @openmindspodca...

Nov 30, 201944 min

#058: A Conversation with Gillian Smith

Send us a text Gillian Smith is a tireless Volunteer, Consultant and former Progressive Conservative candidate in the 2018 Ontario Provincial Election. She has written an article about her experiences. Link below. https://thewalrus.ca/what-i-learned-from-losing-the-ontario-election/ --- 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 Ti...

Nov 23, 201950 min
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