Send us a text 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 involved in armed bank robberies and at the time, the Gang was the most dangerous Gang in the Greater Tor...
Nov 17, 2020•1 hr 5 min
Send us a text 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.com Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affilia...
Nov 10, 2020•1 hr
Send us a text 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 purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Visit my NEW Website! https:// w...
Nov 03, 2020•1 hr 10 min
Send us a text 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 out my Instagram/Tik Tok for daily posts: Instagram @openmindspod Tiktok @openmindspodcast...
Oct 28, 2020•29 min
Send us a text 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...
Oct 24, 2020•47 min
Send us a text 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 @openmindspodcast...
Oct 17, 2020•1 hr 3 min
Send us a text 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 Tiktok @openmindspodcast...
Oct 10, 2020•1 hr 2 min
Send us a text 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 Tiktok @openmindspodcast...
Oct 03, 2020•1 hr
Send us a text 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...
Sep 26, 2020•1 hr 6 min
Send us a text 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...
Sep 19, 2020•1 hr 33 min
Send us a text 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...
Sep 12, 2020•1 hr 2 min
Send us a text 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...
Jul 23, 2020•18 min
Send us a text 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 @openmindspod Tiktok @openmindspodcast...
Jul 07, 2020•1 hr 5 min
Send us a text 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 @openmindspodcast...
Jun 27, 2020•34 min
Send us a text 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...
Jun 14, 2020•29 min
Send us a text 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 Visit my NEW Website! https:// www.christopherbalkaran.com Check out my Instagram/Tik Tok for daily pos...
Jun 07, 2020•56 min
Send us a text 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...
May 31, 2020•19 min
Send us a text 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...
May 23, 2020•55 min
Send us a text 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: Instagram @openmindspod Tiktok @openmindspodcast...
May 17, 2020•1 hr 8 min
Send us a text 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...
May 09, 2020•1 hr 3 min
Send us a text 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...
May 02, 2020•1 hr 14 min
Send us a text 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: https://anchor.fm/strongandfree/support Support the show Visit my NEW Website! https:// www.christopherbalkaran.com Check o...
Apr 24, 2020•29 min
Send us a text 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...
Apr 19, 2020•10 min
Send us a text 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...
Apr 18, 2020•12 min
Send us a text 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...
Apr 16, 2020•12 min
Send us a text 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...
Apr 15, 2020•12 min
Send us a text 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...
Apr 14, 2020•12 min
Send us a text Ensure your goals are adaptive and flexible to the environment we're in!--- 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 13, 2020•12 min
Send us a text Choose positivity and creation today, instead of negativity and reaction!--- 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 12, 2020•12 min
Send us a text It's too early to make this a right/left 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 @openmindspodcast...
Apr 11, 2020•12 min
