Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

About Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

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.

Publisher

Christopher Balkaran

Category

government · news · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

15 Nov 2018

Latest episode

14 Feb 2026

Latest episodes

240 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Feb 2026

   #238: MAiD in Canada: Are We Protecting the Vulnerable, Or Failing Them? | Dr. Ramona Coelho

   Send a text In this episode of the Open Minds Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Ramona Coelho to examine one of the most consequential public policies in modern Canada: Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). Canada now reports that approximately 5% of all deaths occur through MAiD. Track Two cases, those not at end of life, continue to raise questions about disability, capacity assessments, oversight, and whether psychosocial suffering is being treated as irremediable. Dr. Coelho serves on Ontario’...

2. 

   22 Jul 2025

   #237: Unpacking MAiD in Ontario with Chief Coroner Dr. Dirk Huyer

   Send us a text I sit down with Dr. Dirk Huyer, Ontario’s Chief Coroner, to explore the evolving complexities behind Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada. As the chair of the province’s MAiD Death Review Committee (MDRC), Dr. Huyer offers a rare and in-depth perspective on what the data really shows, how legislation is being interpreted in practice, and whether concerns over coercion or systemic failure hold weight. MAiD Death Review Committee Reports https://arpacanada.ca/ontario-maid...

3. 

   8 Jul 2025

   #236: Dr. Salim Mansur: Multiculturalism or Identity Crisis?

   Christopher Balkaran interviews Dr. Salim Mansur, who analyzes Canada's multiculturalism policy, exposing its origins and impact on national identity and liberal democracy.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.4 / 5

7 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 56 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

52

Social presence

0

YouTube

66

Engagement

85

Contact Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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